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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 1231

Criminal procedure: Safer Communities Through Opportunities Act.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (3)

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law authorizes a judge in the superior court in which a misdemeanor is being prosecuted to offer misdemeanor diversion to a defendant. Existing law, upon successful completion of the terms, conditions, or programs ordered by the court, makes the arrest upon which the diversion was imposed deemed to have never occurred, except as specified relating to application to be a peace officer. This bill, the Safer Communities Through Opportunities Act, would authorize a court to exercise its discretion to grant pretrial diversion on a felony offense, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would authorize the court to consider information from, among others, the prosecutor and the defense in determining whether or not to grant diversion and would prohibit a court from granting diversion unless it finds that the diversion plan mitigates any unreasonable risk of danger to public safety and that the defendant is likely to benefit from the services provided in the diversion plan. The bill would authorize a court to consider reinstating criminal proceedings in certain circumstances, such as the commission of a misdemeanor committed while the defendant is receiving pretrial diversion services that shows a propensity for violence, among others. The bill would require the court to dismiss the criminal allegations if it finds that the defendant has complied with the terms and conditions during the diversion period. The bill would require the court, if the court reduces the felony to a misdemeanor, to follow existing misdemeanor diversion proceedings.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 8:07 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 13, 2025
Senate		3rd Reading AB1231 Elhawary et al. By CortesepassSet your home in California to see
Sep 13, 2025
House		AB 1231 ELHAWARY Concurrence in Senate AmendmentsfailSet your home in California to see
Aug 29, 2025
Senate		Do pass as amendedpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 18, 2025
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Jul 15, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 3, 2025
House		AB 1231 Elhawary Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
May 23, 2025
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Apr 8, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see

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