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AB-1966 • 2026

Sentencing enhancements: crimes against undocumented individuals.

Sentencing enhancements: crimes against undocumented individuals.

Crime Education Firearms
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ramos (A) , Valencia
Last action
2026-03-18
Official status
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on which specific crimes qualify as 'qualifying criminal activity'.

Sentencing Rules for Crimes Against Undocumented People

The bill requires courts to add two years of prison time for individuals convicted of committing certain crimes against undocumented individuals.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the court to impose an additional and consecutive 2-year term of state imprisonment for individuals convicted of committing a qualifying criminal activity, as specified, against a person who is an undocumented individual.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit crimes against undocumented individuals will face longer prison times.
  • Judges must follow these new sentencing rules when deciding punishments.

Terms To Know

Undocumented individual
A person living in a country without proper legal permission or documents.
Sentencing enhancement
An extra punishment added to the main sentence for certain crimes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which crimes qualify as 'qualifying criminal activity'.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-18 California Legislative Information

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

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

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

  3. 2026-03-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. 2026-02-14 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  5. 2026-02-13 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1966, as introduced, Ramos.
Sentencing enhancements: crimes against undocumented individuals.
Existing law generally authorizes a court to, in the furtherance of justice, dismiss a sentencing enhancement, except if dismissal of that enhancement is prohibited by an initiative statute. Existing law provides for various sentencing enhancements, including, among others, enhancements for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or attempted felony, or for the damaging of property in the commission or attempted commission of a felony.
This bill would require the court to impose an additional and consecutive 2-year term of state imprisonment for individuals convicted of committing a qualifying criminal activity, as specified, against a person who is an undocumented individual. By creating a new sentencing enhancement, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The
California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF