After sitting dormant for nearly a year, the California Assembly is set to vote on SB 94, a controversial bill that would allow individuals serving life sentences for murder and other serious crimes to petition for early release, according to KCRA Sacramento.
If passed, the bill would make it significantly easier for these inmates who have already served at least 25 years in prison to have their sentences reduced. However, the bill excludes serial killers and those convicted of killing law enforcement officers from eligibility.
SB 94 was quietly moved from the Assembly’s “inactive file” on Monday without much discussion among legislators. The Democratic majority in the state legislature had initially planned to vote on the bill a year ago but decided to shelve it at the time.
The revival of the bill has sparked renewed debate among both opponents and supporters. Crime Victims United (CVU), a prominent advocacy group, has urged lawmakers to vote against the bill.
“We believe that this bill is not only unjust but also undermines the rule of law and the justice system in our country,” wrote Harriet Salarno, chair of CVU. “It would allow individuals who committed heinous crimes to potentially escape justice and receive reduced sentences, despite the severity of their offenses.”
Proponents of the bill, however, argue that it provides a fair opportunity for rehabilitation. “SB 94 creates a simple process that allows a person who’s been incarcerated for decades to prove they’ve been rehabilitated and can one day be successfully released to the community,” said Daniel Trautfield of the SB 94 Coalition. “SB 94 doesn’t guarantee release to anyone.”
Supporters emphasize that the bill doesn’t mean automatic release, though opponents are concerned about how the petition process might be managed. Both sides agree that judicial sentencing for crimes like murder and rape tended to be more severe 25 years ago, which is a key consideration in the debate.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has criticized his Democratic opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, accusing them of being lenient on crime. He specifically pointed to the potential early release of violent criminals under SB 94 as evidence. Trump also referenced Harris’s past actions, including her support for a bail fund during the George Floyd protests, which helped secure the release of individuals who later committed serious crimes, including murder.