Advocacy Priorities

ARC’s Legislative Priorities (2023-2024)

We’re excited to announce our 2024 State Policy Priorities! Our state legislation brings hope to our incarcerated community, dignity for incarcerated mothers, and opportunities for formerly incarcerated to achieve their goals upon reentry.

We have four new bills this year and two from last year that are still active, including Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8).

ACA 8 will prohibit slavery in all forms and end forced prison labor. If passed by the California Senate this year, it will create a ballot measure in the 2024 general election. We have two bills focused on providing services to incarcerated mothers, AB 2160 and AB 2717. AB 2142 addresses mental health care inside prisons and would create a pilot program for increased access. SB 1035 would reduce the interest rate on restitution so victims can receive restitution payments sooner and formerly incarcerated people have a lesser burden. SB 94 is a two-year bill that would allow people who were sentenced to LWOP before 1990 a chance to have their sentences reviewed.

ARC members drive these efforts forward by speaking in committees, meeting with legislators, and educating people on the need to change systems. Our work is not done alone; ARC is partnering with many advocacy groups and partners across the state to promote these important issues.

Learn more about policy priorities below!

State Sponsored Priorities

SB 1057 (Menjivar) - Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils

SB 1057, authored by Senator Menjivar, will ensure counties must form juvenile justice coordinating councils to get JJCPA funding. Councils will be 50% community reps, with 2 co-chairs (one being a community rep).

Status: SB 1057 passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly

SB 1035 (Ashby) - Restitution Fees

SB 1035, authored by Senator Ashby would change the annual interest rate on restitution orders. The interest rate charged by the Franchise Tax Board on certain delinquent payments, including fines, fees, and restitution, to no more than 1%.

Status: This bill died in the Assembly Appriotions Committee.

SB 94 (Cortese) Judicial Review of Old Sentences

SB 94 , authored by Senator Cortese, will allow a person to petition for judicial review if their offense occurred before June 5, 1990, have served a minimum of 20 years, and were convicted of a special circumstance under Penal Code 190.2.

Status: SB 94 is in the Assembly

AB 2142 (Haney) - Mental Health Pilot

AB 2142 authored by Asm. Haney would require CDCR to establish a 3-year pilot program at two or more institutions that would provide access to specified mental health therapy for those not classified by the department to receive mental health treatment from the institution.

Status: This bill died in the Assembly Appriotions Committee.

AB 1516 (Kalra) - California Living Wage For All

AB 1516, authored by Asm Kalra, will help California study and take steps to raise the state minimum wage to be closer to the actual cost of living in CA and ensure that the minimum wage applies to all workers, including incarcerated workers.

Status: This bill passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate!

ACA 8 (Wilson) - The End Slavery in California Act

The Constitution of California prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude “except to punish crime.” ACA 8, the End Slavery in California Act, would amend the California Constitution to remove such conditional language, abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude without exception. ACA 8 is authored by Asm. Lori Wilson.

End Slavery in California Act would amend Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude without exception. As it stands, California prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude “except to punish crime.” Such conditional language exists in the constitutions of nearly 30 states.

Status: ACA 8 is in the Senate.

AB 2160 - California Women's Care Act

AB 2160 -California Women’s Care Act, authored by Asm Mckinnor would allow pregnant or postpostpartum women to file a request to apply for diversion from jail and prison.

Status: This bill died in the Assembly Appriotions Committee

AB 2740 (Waldron) Incarcerated persons: prenatal and postpartum care

AB 2740(Waldron), which would strengthen and extend prenatal and postpartum care for mothers incarcerated in state facilities. This bill will also expedite the application process for family visitation between a mother and their baby so that bonding can continue after the baby is removed.

Status: This bill passed the Assembly and is now in the CA Senate!

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Rose Brown

In my journey inside, nothing could really prepare me for what was to come. Everyone’s journey is different & I’ve learned these basic things in my re-entry and transition:Be patient (Especially with yourself), don’t compare yourself to others (Your path is yours alone), and continue climbing the mountain (Obstacles will come, just keep climbing). Being in the trenches of re-entry & working with an organization that focuses on re-entry made me realize what my purpose really is-to give back. Surviving Board, paroling, discharging from parole…I’ve climbed that mountain. My focus today is to make a positive difference to the community I’ve harmed and the inside community I’ve left behind.

J’Mel Carter

There were so many things that contributed to me making the poor choice to live a criminal and gang lifestyle. I don’t mention these facts to justify my despicable actions. With the help of good men and women and through education and hard work, I was able to change and transform the person I was into the person I was meant to be.

Pamela Thompson

When I was sentenced to 33 years to life under the third strike law, I thought my life was over and lost hope. 17 years into sentence, I got tired of feeling hopeless and decided to start attending self-help groups. Soon enough, I was the one leading them. After serving 24 years I was resentenced and released under 1170 (d)(1). I am now enjoying my freedom by giving back to my community through the work with ARC and different local organizations. As a life coach, I help ARC Members by lending my lived experiences to help guide and mentor them as they navigate their own reentry journey.

Rodney Bryant

Understanding all that CA offered me a chance to start fresh; however, I soon realized that even though the landscape changed, those old childhood issues still persisted. In 1990 I found myself making impulsive & irrational decisions whenever stressed. That year, I was sentenced to serve an indeterminate term of 15 years-to-Life. I spent more than 28 years of my life in correctional facilities; however, with hard work, persistence, & divine intervention my life was transformed. I spent a considerable amount of time on self-improvement, earning a High School Diploma, various vocational trades, and self-help certifications. Wanting to help make a difference, I became a Peer Literacy Tutor, Recreational Coach, and Youth Mentor, as I continued to seek self-help through self-improvement.

Angel Zubiate

It had been a rocky experience each time that an employer would ask “why are you being tracked like an animal?” Or the confused public eye that would question the same thing. My inability to swim in a pool or beach with family, friends, and loved ones because the monitor would glitch causing for my parole officer to panic that a registered gang member was on the loose. Now that I am completely free to travel and swim, work where I choose, wear shorts in the summer with out feeling judged, I could tell you that today I am as blessed as can be.

Jose Santana

US Forestry Service Fireman

I’m doing fire work now because it has given me self confidence and self worth that I feel I used to lack. Nowadays I hold my head up high and take pride in everything I do because what I do has value that I truly appreciate. I’m no longer hurting the community, I’m giving back to it. I’m constantly humbled when I see my friends, family and strangers and they thank me for my service. I get a bit embarrassed by it to be honest.