Existing law establishes specified rights for victims and witnesses of crimes, including to be notified or informed regarding specified court proceedings and inmate placement or parole eligibility.

This bill would require the court and the district attorneys office or other prosecuting agency to ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victims next of kin is provided to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the time of sentencing in cases that result in a sentence to state prison. prison, to the extent that contact information is reasonably available. By increasing the burdens on local prosecuting agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law establishes specified rights for victims and witnesses of crimes, including to be notified or informed regarding specified court proceedings and inmate placement or parole eligibility.

This bill would require the court and the district attorneys office or other prosecuting agency to ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victims next of kin is provided to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the time of sentencing in cases that result in a sentence to state prison. By increasing the burdens on local prosecuting agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 1681 (Ramos) - Victim’s and witness’ rights

Bill Summary:

AB 1681 would require district attorneys and other prosecuting agencies to ensure that victim and victim next of kin contact information is provided to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the time of sentencing to state prison. By increasing the burden on local prosecuting agencies, this bill would impose a state mandated local program.

Fiscal Impact:

Estimated costs of $750,00 in FY 2026-27 to $2 million to $3 million annually thereafter with approximately half of the costs to CDCR to support increased victim registration, verification, outreach, notification and restitution processing workload. Primary cost drivers include additional staffing to process and verify victim information, expended outreach and notification activities and potential one time and ongoing information technology and accounting system enhancements.

Current victim registration error rates are approximately 25 percent which this bill intends to significantly increase by providing contact information directly to CDCR. By improving access to victim contact information, CDCR expects increased registration rates and participation in notification and restitution processes, thereby increasing administrative workload. CDCR estimates additional staffing resources will be required and that system enhancements may be necessary to support these expanded activities.

One time cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for information technology system upgrades to case management systems and related administrative processes to handle forms prescribed by CDCR. (General Fund)

Unknown, potentially significant reimbursable costs to district attorneys to ensure that a victim’s contact information and next of kin is provided to CDCR at the time of sentencing if a defendant is sentenced to state prison, Costs will depend on whether and how often district attorneys must use investigators or other staff to locate victims or their families in order to collect contact information and whether this bill creates a reimbursable state mandate, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates. (General Fund)

Background:

In 2008, voters approved Proposition 9, known as Marsy’s Law, which amended the California Constitution to provide a victim’s Bill of Rights. In order to preserve a victims’ right to due process and justice, the victim is, among other things, entitled to: reasonable notice of all public proceedings which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present at and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, as well as to be present at these proceedings; be heard, upon request, at any proceeding, including sentencing, a post-conviction release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; and be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, and to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the person is paroled.

Once a defendant is sentenced, the victim is not entitled to automatic notice of possible release when the defendant is sentenced to a determinate term. Instead, victims must submit paperwork to request notification. CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services is responsible for providing victim services and information to victims and their families.

Proponents assert that many victims or next of kin are unaware of the CDCR process for requesting victim notification or find the process of requesting notice overwhelming.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires, in cases that result in a state prison sentence, the prosecutor to ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victim’s next of kin is provided to CDCR at the time of sentencing, to the extent that contact information is reasonably available.

This bill provides that the failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification does not relieve the state of its duty to provide the information that it is required to provide to victims under existing law.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Senator Jesse Arreguín, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: AB 1681 Hearing Date: June 30, 2026

Subject: Victim’s and witness’ rights

HISTORY

Source: California District Attorneys Association; Orange County District Attorney; San Bernardino County District Attorney

Prior Legislation: AB 88 (Sanchez), Ch. 795, Stats. of 2023

AB 89 (Sanchez), held in Senate Appropriations, 2023

Proposition 9, approved by the voters on November 4, 2008

Support: Unknown

Opposition: None known

Assembly Floor Vote: 78 - 0

PURPOSE

The purpose of this bill is to require the prosecutor’s office ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victim’s next of kin is provided to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the time of sentencing in cases that result in a sentence to state prison, to the extent that contact information is reasonably available. 

Existing law, known as Marsy’s Law, enumerates a number of rights to victims of crime, including the right to have the safety of the victim and the victim’s family considered in fixing the amount of bail and release conditions for the defendant; to reasonable notice of all public proceedings, upon request, at which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, and to be present at all such proceedings; to restitution; to be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender; and to be informed of their enumerated rights, among others. (Cal. Con., art. I, § 28.)

Existing law establishes the following statutory rights of victims and witnesses of crimes:

• To be notified as soon as feasible that a court proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed as a witness will not proceed as scheduled, provided the prosecuting attorney determines that the witness’ attendance is not required.
• Upon request of the victim or a witness, to be informed by the prosecuting attorney of the final disposition of the case.
• For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all sentencing proceedings, and of the right to appear, to reasonably express their views, have those views preserved by audio or video means, and to have the court consider their statements.
• For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all juvenile disposition hearings in which the alleged act would have been a felony if committed by an adult, and of the right to attend and to express their views.
• Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of any parole eligibility hearing and of the right to appear, either personally or by other means, to reasonably express their views, and to have their statements considered.
• Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the crime was a homicide, to be notified of an inmate’s placement in a reentry or work furlough program, or notified of the inmate’s escape.
• To be notified that a witness may be entitled to witness fees and mileage.
• For the victim, to be provided with information concerning the victim’s right to civil recovery and the opportunity to be compensated from the Restitution Fund.
• To the expeditious return of property that has allegedly been stolen or embezzled, when it is no longer needed as evidence.
• To an expeditious disposition of the criminal action.
• To be notified, if applicable, if the defendant is to be placed on parole.
• For the victim, upon request, to be notified of any pretrial disposition of the case, to the extent required by Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution.
• For the victim, to be notified by the district attorney’s office of the right to request, upon a form provided by the district attorney’s office, and receive a notice, if the defendant is convicted of specified sex offenses.
• When a victim has requested notification, the sheriff must inform the victim that the person who was convicted of the offense has been ordered to be placed on probation, and give the victim notice of the proposed date upon which the person will be released from the custody of the sheriff.
• For the victim, to be notified of the availability of community-based restorative justice programs and processes available to them, including, but not limited to, programs serving their community, county, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and CDCR. The victim has a right to be notified as early and often as possible, including during the initial contact, during follow-up investigation, at the point of diversion, throughout the process of the case, and in postconviction proceedings. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (a).)

Existing law requires that the above listed rights are included in the information and educational materials that local law enforcement agencies and local victims’ programs are required to distribute. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (b).)

Existing law requires local law enforcement agencies to make available copies of the information and educational materials that outline the rights of crime victims and witnesses of crimes to victims and witnesses. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (c).)

This bill requires, in cases that result in a state prison sentence, the prosecutor to ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victim’s next of kin is provided to CDCR at the time of sentencing, to the extent that contact information is reasonably available.

This bill provides that the failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification does not relieve the state of its duty to provide the information that it is required to provide to victims under existing law.

COMMENTS

1. Need For This Bill

According to the author:

Making sure that victims are kept up to date on critical notifications about an offender is crucial. The current process is burdensome on victims because they must complete a form to receive notifications about an offender although the courts and attorneys already have the victim’s information on hand. Improving the accessibility and completion of CDCR Form 1707 must become an immediate priority to safeguard victims’ rights. It is a burden that should be removed from their shoulders and avoids revictimizing them.

1. Marsy’s Law

In 2008, voters approved Proposition 9, known as Marsy’s Law, which amended the California Constitution to provide a victim’s Bill of Rights. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b).) In order to preserve a victims’ right to due process and justice, the victim is, among other things, entitled to: reasonable notice of all public proceedings which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present at and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, as well as to be present at these proceedings; be heard, upon request, at any proceeding, including sentencing, a post-conviction release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; and be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, and to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the person is paroled. (Cal. Const., art. I § 28, subd. (b)(7)-(8) & (15).)

1. Victim Notification

Once a defendant is sentenced, the victim is not entitled to automatic notice of possible release when the defendant is sentenced to a determinate term. Instead, victims must submit paperwork to request notification. CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) is responsible for providing victim services and information to victims and their families. According to the OVSRS website:

The victim of crime, family member to a victim, or a witness who testified against the offender may request to be notified of a change to the custody status of the offender. A change in custody status includes release, death, escape, parole hearing (Victims/Victims’ family members only), transfer to another prison, discharge from parole, contract, or scheduled execution. Requests can be made by completing the CDCR form 1707, Request for Victim Services. (CDCR, Victim Request for Services, available at <https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/victim-services/application/>.)

The proponents of this bill assert that many victims or next of kin are unaware of the CDCR process for requesting victim notification or find the process of requesting notice overwhelming. To address these concerns, this bill requires the prosecutor to ensure that the contact information of the victim and the victim’s next of kin is provided to CDCR at the time of sentencing, to the extent that contact information is reasonably available. This bill additionally states that the failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification does not relieve the state of its duty to provide the information that it is required to provide to victims under existing law.

1. Argument in Support

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, writes:

Marsy’s Law, approved by California voters in 2008 and codified in the California Constitution, guarantees victims the right to timely notification of key developments in an offender's custody, including release, parole hearings, escapes, and supervision conditions. Unfortunately, these rights often go unrealized in practice. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services, approximately 75 percent of victims do not complete CDCR Form 1707, the form required to activate these notifications.

Victims frequently report that Form 1707 is confusing, overwhelming, or burdensome-particularly during periods of acute trauma. Many also mistakenly believe that their information is automatically transmitted from the courts to CDCR, only to later discover that they were never enrolled to receive notifications. The result is that victims are left uninformed about critical events affecting their safety and peace of mind.

These failures are especially concerning given California's evolving sentencing and release framework. With expanded early-release programs, enhanced credit earning, and resentencing reforms, offenders may be released significantly earlier than victims were originally told to expect. In this environment, timely and reliable victim notification is more important than ever.

AB 1681 addresses this problem by closing a procedural gap-not by creating new rights, but by ensuring that existing constitutional protections are actually delivered. By allowing required victim notification information to be transmitted to CDCR at sentencing, alongside the abstract of judgment already provided by the court, this bill removes unnecessary barriers and ensures victims are not forced to navigate a separate administrative process at an already traumatic time.

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1681

Author:(Ramos)

As Amended Ver:May 18, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the court and the district attorney's office or other prosecuting agency to ensure that a victim's contact information and next of kin is provided to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the time of sentencing if a defendant is sentenced to state prison and to the extent contact information is reasonably available. Failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification shall not relieve the state of its duty to provide information.

Major Provisions

COMMENTS

According to the Author

"Making sure that victims are kept up to date on critical notifications about an offender is crucial. The current process is burdensome on victims because they must complete a form to receive notifications about an offender although the courts and attorneys already have the victim's information on hand. Improving the accessibility and completion of CDCR Form 1707 must become an immediate priority to safeguard victims' rights. It is a burden that should be removed from their shoulders and avoids revictimizing them."

Arguments in Support

According to the Burbank Police Officers Association, "Thousands of crime victims in California are unknowingly missing critical notifications about offenders because they have not completed, or properly completed, the relevant CDCR Form 1707. AB [1681] addresses that gap by ensuring victims' rights is implemented by automatically transferring the required information to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). California's sentencing and release framework has changed dramatically in recent years. Under current law, offenders may be released significantly earlier than victims were originally told. These accelerating release timelines make timely and reliable victim notification more critical than ever. Many victims mistakenly assume they will be notified by CDCR of an offender's transfer, release, parole hearings/decisions, escapes and special parole conditions, only to AB 1681 would not create new rights or obligations. Instead, it simply ensures that existing protections, notifications and rights of victims are realized, as guaranteed under the California Constitution."

Arguments in Opposition

None submitted.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. The Department of Justice does not anticipate any financial impact. Local prosecutors may incur costs of an unknown, but potentially substantial amount. If the Commission on State Mandates determines this bill's requirements to be a reimbursable state mandate, the state would need to reimburse these costs to local agencies.
2. Likely costs in the high hundreds of thousands to low millions of dollars annually (General Fund), with roughly half of these costs ongoing, to CDCR to support increased victim registration, verification, outreach, notification, and restitution processing workload. Primary cost drivers include additional staffing to process and verify victim information, expanded outreach and notification activities, and potential one-time and ongoing information technology and accounting system enhancements.

According to CDCR, current victim registration rates are approximately 25% due to incomplete or insufficient identifying information. By improving access to victim contact information, CDCR expects increased registration rates and participation in notification and restitution processes, thereby increasing its administrative workload. CDCR anticipates that additional staffing resources will be required and that system enhancements may be necessary to support these expanded activities.

1. Likely costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially exceeding that amount (General Fund), for one-time and ongoing updates to case management systems and related administrative processes.

The Legislative Analyst's Office recently warned of General Fund structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

VOTES

ASM PUBLIC SAFETY: 9-0-0

YES: Schultz, Alanis, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Lackey, Nguyen, Ramos, Sharp-Collins

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-4

YES: Wicks, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Hoover, Dixon, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: May 18, 2026

CONSULTANT: Kimberly Horiuchi / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0002908

Date of Hearing: April 8, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1681

Author:(Ramos) – As Introduced Ver:February 2, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the court and the district attorney’s office or other prosecuting agency to ensure that a victim’s contact information and next of kin is provided to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the time of sentencing if a defendant is sentenced to state prison.

The bill further clarifies the failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification does not relieve the state of its duty to provide information.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. The Department of Justice does not anticipate any financial impact. Local prosecutors may incur costs of an unknown, but potentially substantial amount. If the Commission on State Mandates determines this bill’s requirements to be a reimbursable state mandate, the state would need to reimburse these costs to local agencies.
2. Likely costs in the high hundreds of thousands to low millions of dollars annually (General Fund), with roughly half of these costs ongoing, to CDCR to support increased victim registration, verification, outreach, notification, and restitution processing workload. Primary cost drivers include additional staffing to process and verify victim information, expanded outreach and notification activities, and potential one-time and ongoing information technology and accounting system enhancements.

According to CDCR, current victim registration rates are approximately 25 percent due to incomplete or insufficient identifying information. By improving access to victim contact information, CDCR expects increased registration rates and participation in notification and restitution processes, thereby increasing its administrative workload. CDCR anticipates that additional staffing resources will be required and that system enhancements may be necessary to support these expanded activities.

1. Likely costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially exceeding that amount (General Fund), for one-time and ongoing updates to case management systems and related administrative processes.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently warned of General Fund structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author,

Making sure that victims are kept up to date on critical notifications about an offender is crucial. The current process is burdensome on victims because they must complete a form to receive notifications about an offender although the courts and attorneys already have the victim’s information on hand. Improving the accessibility and completion of CDCR Form 1707 must become an immediate priority to safeguard victims’ rights. It is a burden that should be removed from their shoulders and avoids revictimizing them.

1. Background. Under existing law, the victim of crime, family member to a victim, or a witness who testified against the offender may request to be notified of a change to the custody status of the offender. A change in custody status includes release, death, escape, parole hearing, transfer to another prison, discharge from parole, contract, or scheduled execution. Requests can be made by completing a CDCR form. A victim would otherwise not be notified of a change in custody. Victim services advocates contend that most victims are unaware of the CDCR process for requesting victim notification. Many victims mistakenly assume they will be notified by CDCR of an offender’s transfer, release, parole hearings and decisions, escapes and special parole conditions. This bill would streamline the process, by requiring the courts and the prosecuting agency to automatically transfer the information to CDCR at the time of sentencing.

Analysis Prepared by: Shiran Zohar / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing:

Counsel: Kimberly Horiuchi

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

Nick Schultz, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SUMMARY:

Requires the court and the district attorney’s office or other prosecuting agency to ensure that a victim’s contact information and next of kin is provided to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the time of sentencing if a defendant is sentenced to state prison. Failure of a victim to submit a separate request for services or notification shall not relieve the state of its duty to provide information.

EXISTING LAW:

1. The following rights are hereby established as the statutory rights of victims and witnesses of crimes:
   
2. To be notified as soon as feasible that a court proceeding to which the victim or witness has been subpoenaed as a witness will not proceed as scheduled, provided the prosecuting attorney determines that the witness’ attendance is not required;
   
3. Upon request of the victim or a witness, to be informed by the prosecuting attorney of the final disposition of the case;
   
4. For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all sentencing proceedings, and of the right to appear, to reasonably express their views, have those views preserved by audio or video means, as specified, and to have the court consider their statements, as specified;
   
5. For the victim, the victim’s parents or guardian if the victim is a minor, or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of all juvenile disposition hearings in which the alleged act would have been a felony if committed by an adult, and of the right to attend and to express their views, as specified;
   
6. Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the victim has died, to be notified of any parole eligibility hearing and of the right to appear, either personally or by other means, as specified, to reasonably express their views, and to have their statements considered;
   
7. Upon request by the victim or the next of kin of the victim if the crime was a homicide, to be notified of an inmate’s placement in a reentry or work furlough program notified of the inmate’s escape;
   
8. To be notified that a witness may be entitled to witness fees and mileage, as specified;
   
9. For the victim to be provided with information concerning the victim’s right to civil recovery and the opportunity to be compensated from the Restitution Fund;
   
10. To the expeditious return of property that has allegedly been stolen or embezzled, when it is no longer needed as evidence;
    
11. To an expeditious disposition of the criminal action;
    
12. To be notified, if applicable, if the defendant is to be placed on parole;
    
13. For the victim, upon request, to be notified of any pretrial disposition of the case, to the extent required by Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution;
    
    • 1. A victim may request to be notified of a pretrial disposition.
         
      2. The victim may be notified by any reasonable means available.
         
      3. These rights are not intended to affect the right of the people and the defendant to an expeditious disposition.
         
14. For the victim, to be notified by the district attorney’s office of the right to request, upon a form provided by the district attorney’s office, and receive a notice, if the defendant is convicted of any of the following offenses;
    
    • 1. Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, as specified.
         
      2. A violation of kidnapping or kidnapping with intent to commit a specified sex offense.
         
      3. Rape.
         
      4. Oral copulation.
         
      5. Sodomy.
         
      6. Child molestation.
         
      7. Sexual penetration.
         
15. When a victim has requested notification, the sheriff shall inform the victim that the person who was convicted of the offense has been ordered to be placed on probation and give the victim notice of the proposed date upon which the person will be released from custody of the sheriff; and,
    
16. For the victim, to be notified of the availability of community-based restorative justice programs and processes available to them, including, but not limited to, programs serving their community, county, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and the CDCR. The victim has a right to be notified as early and often as possible, including during the initial contact, during follow up investigation, at the point of diversion, throughout the process of the case, and in postconviction proceedings. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (a)(1)-(15).)
    
17. Provides that it is the right of a crime victim, as specified, to be notified of all sentencing proceedings, and of the right to appear, to reasonably express his or her views, have those views preserved by audio or video means, as specified, and to have the court consider his or her statements, as specified. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (a)(3).)
    
18. States that it is the right of a crime victim, as specified, to be notified of all juvenile disposition hearings in which the alleged act would have been a felony if committed by an adult, and of the right to attend and to express his or her views, as specified. (Pen. Code, § 679.02, subd. (a)(4).)
    
19. Declares that a victim of any crime, as specified, has the right to attend all sentencing proceedings under this chapter and shall be given adequate notice by the probation officer of all sentencing proceedings concerning the person who committed the crime. Provides that the victim, as specified, has the right to appear, personally or by counsel, at the sentencing proceeding and to reasonably express his, her, or their views concerning the crime, the person responsible and the need for restitution. States that the court in imposing sentence shall consider the statements of victims, parents or guardians, and next of kin made pursuant to this section and shall state on the record its conclusion concerning whether the person would pose a threat to public safety if granted probation. (Pen. Code, § 1191.1.)
    
20. Provides that, in order to preserve and protect a victim’s rights to justice and due process, a victim shall be entitled specified rights, including among others, restitution. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b)(13).)
    
21. States that it is the unequivocal intention of the People of the State of California that all persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to seek and secure restitution from the persons convicted of the crimes causing the losses they suffer. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b)(13)(A).)
    
22. Provides that restitution shall be ordered from the convicted wrongdoer in every case, regardless of the sentence or disposition imposed, in which a crime victim suffers a loss. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b)(13)(B).)

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown

COMMENTS:

1. Author's Statement: According to the author, “Making sure that victims are kept up to date on critical notifications about an offender is crucial. The current process is burdensome on victims because they must complete a form to receive notifications about an offender although the courts and attorneys already have the victim’s information on hand. Improving the accessibility and completion of CDCR Form 1707 must become an immediate priority to safeguard victims’ rights. It is a burden that should be removed from their shoulders and avoids revictimizing them.”

1. Marsy’s Law: In 2008, the voters passed Proposition 7, known as Marsy’s Law, to enshrine victim rights into the California Constitution. Marsy’s Law requires, among other things, that victims be consulted and have input in the criminal justice system. Article I, section 28 provides, among many others, the right to reasonable notice of all public proceedings and to be present at any parole or other post-conviction release proceedings.
   

In order to preserve and protect a victim’s rights to justice and due process, a victim shall be entitled to the following rights: … To reasonable notice of all public proceedings, including delinquency proceedings, upon request, at which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, and to be present at all such proceedings.

Proposition 7 also included in its findings and declarations that, “Crime victims are entitled to justice and due process. Their rights include, but are not limited to, the right to notice and to be heard during critical stages of the justice system….”

However, once a defendant is sentenced, the victim is not entitled to automatic notice of possible release when the defendant is not given an indeterminate term and thus, subject to a parole board determination. This bill ensures that a victim’s contact information is transmitted to CDCR for purposes of achieving meaningful notification upon release.

1. Notification: CDCR Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) is responsible for, among other things, providing victim services and information to victims and their families. According to the OVSRS website:

The victim of crime, family member to a victim, or a witness who testified against the offender may request to be notified of a change to the custody status of the offender. A change in custody status includes release, death, escape, parole hearing (Victims/Victims’ family members only), transfer to another prison, discharge from parole, contract, or scheduled execution. Requests can be made by completing the CDCR form 1707, Request for Victim Services.

However, victim services advocates contend that most victims are unaware of the CDCR process for requesting victim notification. Additionally, many survivors of domestic violence may not relish the idea of contemplating their abuser’s release from custody and seeking a notification form. It makes sense that the victim’s contact information just be transmitted to CDCR for notification in advance, thus eliminating the need to prepare the form.

While protective orders often do not translate into protection for victims, notification in advance of release may give victims a chance to move, apply for Secretary of State services to hide their address, or take other protective measures. According to the Department of Justice:

In 2024, domestic violence-related incidents accounted for 13.5% of homicides in California where the cause of the homicide is known to law enforcement. While the overall homicide rate in California decreased by 10.4% in 2024 (down to 4.3 per 100,000), domestic violence-related homicides have remained relatively consistent over the past three years. Firearms continue to be the primary weapon in domestic violence fatalities, with 53% of such cases involving a gun in recent reporting. In cases where the victim-offender relationship was identified in 2024, 17.6% of victims were killed by a spouse, parent, or child. Women are significantly more likely to be victims of intimate partner homicide than men.^[1]

Given the possibility that a victim may be killed by their abuser, particularly if they blame the victim for their incarceration. Streamlining the notification process makes sense to ensure victims learn about their abuser’s release from custody in a timely manner.

1. Argument in Support: According to the Burbank Police Officers Association, “Thousands of crime victims in California are unknowingly missing critical notifications about offenders because they have not completed, or properly completed, the relevant CDCR Form 1707. AB [1681] addresses that gap by ensuring victims’ rights is implemented by automatically transferring the required information to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). California’s sentencing and release framework has changed dramatically in recent years. Under current law, offenders may be released significantly earlier than victims were originally told. These accelerating release timelines make timely and reliable victim notification more critical than ever. Many victims mistakenly assume they will be notified by CDCR of an offender’s transfer, release, parole hearings/decisions, escapes and special parole conditions, only to AB 1681 would not create new rights or obligations. Instead, it simply ensures that existing protections, notifications and rights of victims are realized, as guaranteed under the California Constitution.”
   
2. Argument in Opposition: None on file.
   
3. Related Legislation: AB 1881 (Ramos) would authorize a court, when deciding to issue a protective order against a defendant prohibiting any contact with a victim in a specific type of case, from having any contact with the victim for up to either ten years, or two years after the person’s release from the state prison or a county jail, whichever is later, as determined by the court. AB 1881 is pending in this committee.
   
4. Prior Legislation:
   
   1. AB 285 (Ramos), of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, would have required a court, when imposing a state prison sentence on a defendant convicted of domestic violence or a sex offense, to issue a temporary criminal protective order against the same identified victim or victims from an original witness intimidation protective order, as specified, for a maximum period of 180 days. AB 285 was held on the Assembly Appropriations suspense file.
      
   2. SB 421 (Valladares), of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, would have allowed a court to issue a permanent protective order restraining a defendant from any contact with the victim if the defendant has been convicted of any serious or violent felony, as defined, or any felony requiring registration as a sex offender. SB 421 failed passage in the Senate Committee on Public Safety.
      
   3. AB 2024 (Pacheco), Chapter 648, Statutes of 2024, eliminated delays in getting domestic violence restraining order protection forms to the judicial officer due to relatively minor errors or omissions.
      
   4. AB 1143 (Berman) Chapter 156, Statutes of 2021, provided that in lieu of personal service of a petition for a civil harassment restraining order, if a respondent's address is unknown, the court may authorize another method of service that is reasonably calculated to give actual notice to the respondent, if the court determines that a petitioner made a diligent effort to accomplish service, and may prescribe the manner in which proof of service must be made.
      
   5. SB 538 (Rubio), Chapter 686, Statutes of 2021, facilitated the filing of a DVRO and gun violence restraining order (GVRO) by allowing petitions to be submitted electronically and hearings to be held remotely.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

1. Support
2. Aaron Community Cultural Center
   Arcadia Police Officers' Association
   Brea Police Association
   Burbank Police Officers' Association
   California Association of School Police Chiefs
   California Coalition of School Safety Professionals
   California District Attorneys Association
   California Narcotic Officers' Association
   California Reserve Peace Officers Association
   Claremont Police Officers Association
   Corona Police Officers Association
   County of Orange, Through its Office of the District Attorney/public Administrator
   Crime Survivors Resource Center
   Crime Victims United
   Culver City Police Officers' Association
   Fullerton Police Officers' Association
   Los Angeles School Police Management Association
   Los Angeles School Police Officers Association
   Murrieta Police Officers' Association
   Newport Beach Police Association
   Niswa Association INC.
   Orange County United Way
   Palos Verdes Police Officers Association
   Placer County Deputy Sheriffs' Assocation
   Pomona Police Officers' Association
   Riverside Police Officers Association
   Riverside Sheriffs' Association
   Safe Family Justice Centers
   1 private individual in support

Opposition

None submitted

Analysis Prepared by:

1. https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-releases-california-criminal-justice-statistical-2 ↑