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ACA-19 • 2026

Parole.

Parole.

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Sanchez (A) , Hoover (A) , Tangipa
Last action
2026-03-20
Official status
From printer. May be heard in committee April 19.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Parole Changes

This law changes how decisions about releasing certain prisoners on parole are made in California.

What This Bill Does

  • Delays for 30 days the decision by the Board of Parole Hearings to grant, deny, revoke, or suspend parole for people convicted of murder.
  • Gives the Governor power during this delay period to agree with, change, or cancel the board's decision about parole.
  • Requires the Governor to tell the Legislature about any changes made to parole decisions.
  • Also delays and gives the Governor similar powers over parole decisions for violent felons who get early release through special programs.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People sentenced to prison for murder or violent felonies
  • The Board of Parole Hearings in California
  • The Governor of California

Terms To Know

Parole
A system that allows prisoners to be released early from jail, but they must follow certain rules.
Board of Parole Hearings
The group in California that decides if a prisoner can get parole.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens after the Governor makes changes to parole decisions.
  • It is unclear how this will affect people who are already on parole or those with sentences other than murder or violent felonies.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee April 19.

  2. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

ACA 19, as introduced, Sanchez.
Parole.
The California Constitution delays for 30 days the implementation of any decision by the Board of Parole Hearings granting, denying, revoking, or suspending the parole of a person sentenced to an indeterminate term upon conviction of murder. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor, during this 30-day period, to affirm, modify, or reverse any such decision of the Board of Parole Hearings, and requires the Governor to report to the Legislature each parole decision affirmed, modified, or reversed, stating the pertinent facts and reasons for the action.
This measure would additionally delay, and authorize the Governor to affirm, modify, or reverse, any decision of the Board of Parole Hearings for the granting of parole for any person receiving parole through any early parole program designated by the Legislature, if that person was
convicted of a violent felony, as defined.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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