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SB-537 • 2026

Parole: revocation.

Parole: revocation.

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Archuleta
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about violations that would lead to revocation or the duration of confinement in county jail.

Parole Revocation Rules

This law clarifies that courts can send people back to prison or place them under Department of Corrections supervision if they violate parole terms after being released on or after July 1, 2020.

What This Bill Does

  • Clarifies and authorizes the court to remand a person sentenced for first- or second-degree murder who violates parole conditions back to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
  • If the court does not send them back to prison, it can instead place them in county jail.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People on parole after being sentenced to life for first- or second-degree murder.
  • Courts handling these cases.

Terms To Know

Parole
When a person who is serving time in prison is allowed to leave early but must follow certain rules set by the government.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The agency that oversees prisons, parole, and rehabilitation programs for people who have committed crimes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is not clear what specific violations would lead to a person being sent back to jail.
  • The bill does not specify how long someone might be in county jail if they are not sent back to prison.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  3. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  4. 2025-05-05 California Legislative Information

    May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-29 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 5.

  6. 2025-04-28 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  7. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 841.) (April 22).

  8. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  9. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 22.

  10. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    April 1 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  11. 2025-03-18 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 1.

  12. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  13. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  14. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 537, as amended, Archuleta.
Parole: revocation.
Existing law sets the period of parole for a person sentenced to prison for first- or 2nd-degree murder pursuant to specified provisions to be the remainder of the person’s life. Existing law requires a person subject to those provisions who is on parole and who violates the law or the conditions of their parole to be remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the jurisdiction of the Board of Parole Hearings for the purpose of future parole consideration. Existing law also sets the parole period for a person released on parole from state prison on or after July 1, 2020, and who was sentenced to life, to no more than 3 years.
This bill would
require
authorize the court to remand
a person sentenced to prison for first- or 2nd-degree murder pursuant to specified provisions
who, while on parole, violates the
and released on parole on or after July 1, 2020, and who the court determines has committed a violation of
law or the conditions of their
parole to be remanded
parole,
to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the jurisdiction of the Board of Parole Hearings for the purpose of future parole
consideration. The bill would state that these changes are declarative of, and clarifying, existing law.
consideration, if the court finds that this is in the furtherance of justice. The bill would, if the court does not remand the person to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, instead subject the person to a period of confinement in the county jail, as specified.

Current Bill Text

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