SB-1379 • 2026

County of Riverside: separation of county offices: in-custody reports.

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Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Cervantes
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the exact nature of the information to be published about in-custody persons or the precise cost implications and reimbursement procedures.

Separating Sheriff and Coroner Offices in Riverside County

This law requires the board of supervisors in Riverside County to separate the sheriff and coroner offices by July 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

Requires the board of supervisors for Riverside County to split the offices of sheriff and coroner by July 1, 2027.
Tells the county to take certain actions with respect to medicolegal death investigation services.
Prohibits a person other than the county’s coroner or a medical examiner from signing specified documents related to deaths.
Requires the county to publish information about people who are in custody on its website.

Who It Names or Affects

The board of supervisors in Riverside County
People working as coroners or medical examiners in Riverside County
Residents and visitors who need information about people in custody

Terms To Know

medicolegal death investigation services: Services that look into deaths to find out how someone died, especially if it might be a crime.
state-mandated local program: A program where the state tells local governments they must do something and pays for some or all of the costs.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify exactly how much it will cost to separate the sheriff and coroner offices.
It is unclear what specific information about people in custody must be published on the website.
Details regarding state reimbursement for any extra costs are not fully explained.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 21).
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 15). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 21 in PUB. S. pending receipt.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 15.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and PUB. S.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1379, as amended, Cervantes.
County of Riverside: separation of county offices: in-custody reports.
Existing law generally regulates the government of counties. Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to consolidate the duties of various county offices in various combinations, including combining the duties of the sheriff and the coroner. Existing law also authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to separate the duties of consolidated offices.
This bill would require the board of supervisors for the County of Riverside to separate the offices of sheriff and coroner by July 1, 2027. The bill would require the county’s board of supervisors to take certain actions with respect to medicolegal death investigation services. The bill would prohibit a person other than the county’s coroner or a medical examiner from signing specified documents. The bill would require the county to publish specified information regarding
in-custody persons on its internet website.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for County of Riverside.
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. By requiring the county to provide a higher level of service, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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