California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB 281
Pleas: immigration advisement.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Pérez (Democratic)
Cosponsors (4)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
Existing law requires the court, prior to the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, to advise the defendant that if they are not a citizen, conviction of the crime charged may result in deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization. After January 1, 1978, if the court fails to advise the defendant, as required, and the defendant shows that conviction of the offense to which the defendant pleaded guilty or nolo contendere may have the consequences for the defendant of deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization pursuant to the laws of the United States, the court, on the defendant's motion, is required to vacate the judgment and permit the defendant to withdraw the plea of guilty or nolo contendere, and enter a plea of not guilty.
This bill would require the court to give the above-described advisement verbatim and would clarify the advisement to state that if the defendant is not a citizen of the United States, conviction may result in the specified immigration consequences. The bill would state that for a plea accepted prior to January 1, 2026, it is not the intent of the Legislature that a court's failure to provide the advisement verbatim requires vacation of judgment and withdrawal of the plea or constitutes grounds for finding a prior conviction invalid, as specified.
Text versions
- 10/12/25 - Chaptered· Oct 12, 2025
- 09/05/25 - Enrolled· Sep 5, 2025
- 07/15/25 - Amended Assembly· Jul 15, 2025
- 02/05/25 - Introduced· Feb 5, 2025
- SB281
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 4:19 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 3, 2025 Senate | Unfinished Business SB281 Pérez et al. Concurrence | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Aug 28, 2025 House | SB 281 Pérez Senate Third Reading By Gabriel | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jun 17, 2025 House | Do pass. | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 28, 2025 Senate | 3rd Reading | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Mar 25, 2025 Senate | Do pass | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Oct 12, 2025 · Legislature
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 666, Statutes of 2025. - Oct 12, 2025 · Legislature
Approved by the Governor. - Sep 9, 2025 · Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m. - Sep 3, 2025 · Senate
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2424.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. - Aug 28, 2025 · Senate
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. - Aug 28, 2025 · House
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 53. Noes 18. Page 2764.) Ordered to the Senate. - Jul 15, 2025 · House
Ordered to third reading. - Jul 15, 2025 · House
Read third time and amended. - Jun 18, 2025 · House
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Jun 17, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 2.) (June 17). - Jun 5, 2025 · House
Referred to Com. on PUB. S. - May 28, 2025 · House
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. - May 28, 2025 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 10. Page 1291.) Ordered to the Assembly. - Mar 26, 2025 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Mar 25, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 533.) (March 25). - Mar 7, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing March 25. - Feb 14, 2025 · Senate
Referred to Com. on PUB. S. - Feb 6, 2025 · Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 8. - Feb 5, 2025 · Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.