AB-2636 • 2026

Juveniles.

Children Crime Education Elections Firearms

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Pacheco
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the specific changes made or the exact nature of the 'technical, nonsubstantive' modifications.

Juvenile Court Rules

This law requires courts to consider whether minors are charged with carrying a loaded firearm when deciding if they can participate in deferred entry of judgment.

What This Bill Does

Requires the court to take into account whether a minor is charged with carrying a loaded firearm when determining suitability for deferred entry of judgment.

Who It Names or Affects

Minors who commit crimes and might be eligible for deferred entry of judgment.
Courts that decide on cases involving minors charged with carrying a loaded firearm.

Terms To Know

Deferred Entry of Judgment: A program where young people can avoid having a criminal record if they complete certain education and treatment programs.
Ward of the Court: When a court takes responsibility for making decisions about a minor's life, often because their parents cannot or will not do so.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not change how courts handle other types of crimes.
It is unclear what specific programs minors must complete to avoid a criminal record under deferred entry of judgment.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2636, as amended, Pacheco.
Juveniles.
Existing law subjects a person between 12 and 17 years of age, inclusive, who commits a crime, and a person under 12 years of age who commits specified crimes, to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge that person to be a ward of the court. Under existing law, as added by the Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act of 1998, approved as Proposition 21 at the March 7, 2000, statewide primary election, a minor may be eligible for deferred entry of judgment if certain circumstances apply, including, among others, that the minor has not previously been declared to be a ward of the court for the commission of a felony offense.
Existing law requires, once eligibility is established, the court to determine whether the minor is suitable for deferred entry of judgment and would benefit
from education, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
This bill would require the court to consider whether the minor is charged with an offense of carrying a loaded firearm, as specified, when evaluating suitability of the minor for deferred entry of judgment.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF