Human trafficking case continuances.

Children Crime

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Davies
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on the criteria for determining 'good cause'.

Human Trafficking Case Delays

This law adds human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and extortion to a list of crimes that allow court delays if there is good reason and limits the number of delays the prosecutor can request in human trafficking cases to just one.

What This Bill Does

Adds human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and extortion to a list of crimes that may support a finding of 'good cause' for delaying hearings.
Limits the number of continuances (delays) the prosecution can request in human trafficking cases to only one.

Who It Names or Affects

Courts handling human trafficking cases
Prosecutors in human trafficking cases

Terms To Know

Continuance: A delay or postponement of a court hearing.
Good cause: Reasons that are important enough to allow a court to delay a hearing.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how courts should decide what counts as 'good cause' for delays.
Only applies to human trafficking cases and does not change rules for other types of crimes.
The bill has passed the legislature but its final approval is pending.

Bill History

2026-03-12 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-03-12 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0. Page 4228.)
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-03-05 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 3).
2026-02-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-01-30 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1656, as amended, Davies.
Human trafficking case continuances.
Existing law makes a person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services, or to effect or maintain a violation of various felony or misdemeanor offenses, including offenses relating to prostitution, child pornography, as specified, or extortion, as defined, guilty of human trafficking. Existing law makes a person who causes, induces, or persuades, or attempts to cause, induce, or persuade, a person who is a minor at the time of commission of the offense to engage in a commercial sex act, with the intent to effect or maintain a violation of various felony or misdemeanor offenses, also guilty of human trafficking.
Existing law establishes the requirements for a continuance to be granted in a criminal case, including a showing of good cause. Existing law defines “good cause” for this
purpose to include, but not be limited to, cases involving specified crimes, including murder and domestic violence, and to apply when the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court.
This bill would expand the list of crimes that may support a finding of good cause to specifically
include, among other crimes, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, or extortion.
include human trafficking, as defined. The bill would prohibit a court from granting more than one continuance to the people per case for cases involving human trafficking.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF