SB-953 • 2026

Driving record: points: vehicular manslaughter.

Crime

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Niello
Last action: 2026-06-09
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the retention of existing rules regarding imposition of points for convictions, only for dismissals after diversion completion.

Driving Record Points for Vehicular Manslaughter

This law requires drivers who are found guilty of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and whose case is dismissed after completing a court-ordered diversion program to have two violation points added to their driving record.

What This Bill Does

Defines vehicular manslaughter as causing someone's death while breaking the law or doing something lawful in an unsafe way that leads to death, without intending to kill.
Imposes two violation points against a driver’s record for a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter violation if the case is dismissed by a judge upon completion of diversion.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers who are charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and complete a court-ordered diversion program.

Terms To Know

Vehicular Manslaughter: Causing someone's death while breaking the law or doing something lawful in an unsafe way that leads to death, without intending to kill.
Diversion Program: A court program where a defendant can avoid conviction if they complete certain requirements set by the judge.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone fails to complete the diversion program successfully.
It is unclear how this change will affect traffic safety or driver behavior.

Bill History

2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-06-01 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-05-20 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-08 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 14.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 3873.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 953, as amended, Niello.
Driving record: points: vehicular manslaughter.
Existing law defines vehicular manslaughter as, among other things, driving a vehicle in the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, or driving a vehicle in the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, that results in the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. Under existing law, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as defined, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or by imprisonment in the state prison for 2, 4, or 6 years, and vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year. Existing law authorizes a judge in the superior court in which a misdemeanor is being prosecuted to offer diversion to a defendant, and requires the judge, at the end of the diversion period and if the defendant has complied with the
imposed terms and conditions, to dismiss the action against the defendant.
Existing law imposes 2 violation points against a driver’s record for purposes of the suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive if a driver is convicted of vehicular manslaughter.
This bill would impose 2 violation points against a driver’s record for a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter violation that was dismissed by a judge upon the completion of diversion.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF