Assembly Bill 256 was introduced by Asm. Ash Kalra. This bill builds upon the Racial Justice Act, passed in 2020 (AB 2542 – Kalra), that prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a criminal conviction, or from imposing a sentence, based upon race, ethnicity or national origin. This bill extends these protections to those who have already been impacted by unfair convictions and sentences. Providing for retroactivity will give these individuals an equal opportunity to pursue justice.
Co-Sponsors for AB 256 include: ACLU of California, American Friends Service Committee, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, CA Coalition for Women Prisoners, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, Initiate Justice, League of Women Voters CA, NextGen, Silicon Valley De-Bug
Status: Signed into law, 9/29/2022