SB-891 • 2026

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Cervantes
Last action: 2026-06-09
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify the exact nature of the liaison role or provide details on how the program will operate beyond its responsibilities.

Program for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

This law establishes a program within the Department of Justice to help find missing or murdered Indigenous people, support their families, and report on these cases until January 1, 2029.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a new program inside the Department of Justice called the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.
Makes the program work with tribal victims' families, tribal governments, and different law enforcement agencies to help solve cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous people in California.
Requires the program to submit an annual report about these cases until January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

Indigenous people who are missing or have been murdered
Families of missing or murdered Indigenous people
Tribal governments and law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Department of Justice: A government agency that handles criminal justice issues in California.

Limits and Unknowns

The program will only report on cases until January 1, 2029.
It is not clear how much funding the program will receive to carry out its responsibilities.

Bill History

2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-05-20 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-19 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-08 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 14.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
April 13 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 13.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3589.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-03 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing March 17.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-01-15 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 14.
2026-01-14 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 891, as amended, Cervantes.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.
Existing law establishes the Department of Justice, and makes the department responsible, in part, for overseeing statewide criminal justice programs.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance to local law enforcement agencies and tribal governments relating to, among other things, providing guidance for law enforcement education and training on policing and criminal investigations on Indian lands, providing guidance on improving crime reporting, crime statistics, criminal procedures, and investigative tools, and facilitating and supporting improved communication between local law enforcement agencies and tribal governments.
This bill would establish a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program within and
under the discretion of the Department of Justice. The bill would impose specified responsibilities on the program, including facilitating collaboration and acting as a liaison between tribal victims’ families, tribal governments, and federal, tribal, state, and out-of-state law enforcement agencies, where appropriate, regarding active and inactive cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons in California, including cases involving human trafficking. The bill, until January 1, 2029, would require the program to submit an annual report to both houses of the Legislature containing, among other things, data on the number of, and facts about, cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons in California.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF