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AB-1490 • 2026

Inmate release: notice to victims.

Inmate release: notice to victims.

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Essayli
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on whether the bill addresses changes in parole status or location, so this claim was removed.

Inmate Release Notice for Victims

AB-1490 changes the law so that victims and their families must be notified at least 20 days before someone convicted of certain serious crimes is released from prison or jail.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the time when notice must be given to victims and family members of those convicted of specified serious crimes, including domestic violence felonies.
  • Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county sheriff, or local corrections director to give this notice at least 20 days before release instead of 15 days.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Victims of crimes who were identified by the court as needing to be notified about inmate releases.
  • Family members and witnesses of victims who need to know when someone convicted of a serious crime will be released from prison or jail.

Terms To Know

Parole
A system where prisoners are allowed to leave prison early but must follow certain rules set by the government.
Victim
Someone who was harmed or hurt by a crime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if notice cannot be given 20 days before release.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect the workload of correctional departments and sheriffs.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-03-13 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  5. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  6. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  7. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1490, as introduced, Essayli.
Inmate release: notice to victims.
Existing law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county sheriff, or director of the local department of corrections to give notice not less than 15 days prior to the release from the state prison or a county jail of any person who is convicted of specified crimes, including a felony offense involving domestic violence, or of any change in the parole status or relevant change in the parole location of the convicted person or if the convicted person absconds from supervision while on parole, to any person the court identifies as a victim of the offense, a family member of the victim, or a witness to the offense.
This bill would require notice not less than 20 days prior to the release instead of 15 days.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF