“Asia and her mother shared their stories with California lawmakers this year, in support of a Senate Bill 394, which enables parents and primary caregivers for a child under the age of 18 who are charged with nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors to opt into programs instead of imprisonment. It is one of several newly passed criminal justice reform bills now awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature. Others include: Senate Bill 136, which puts an end to sentence enhancements that automatically add an extra year for anyone convicted of recommitting a felony for which they had already served time. AB 1331, which will increase research and improve record-keeping in the criminal justice system. AB 32, which effectively ends the era of California’s reliance on private, for-profit prisons, including ICE detention centers.“
USA Today
September 18, 2019
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