SB-356
Justice & Public Safety

Parole hearings: use of photographs.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires parole boards to review crime scene, autopsy, and weapon photographs during life sentence parole hearings.
  • Mandates documentation that all photographs and recommendations were considered in parole decisions.
  • Maintains the minimum seven-year imprisonment requirement before parole eligibility for life sentences.

Summary

Senator Jones's parole reform measure would require the California Board of Parole Hearings to review crime scene photographs, autopsy photographs, and images of weapons used when evaluating parole applications from inmates serving life sentences.

The legislation adds these visual materials to the existing set of documents the Board must consider during parole hearings, which currently includes statements and recommendations from judges, district attorneys, sheriffs and other interested parties. Under the measure, the Board would need to document its consideration of these photographs in orders granting or denying parole. The bill maintains current requirements that inmates serve either seven years or their minimum sentenced term, whichever is greater, before becoming eligible for parole consideration.

The measure preserves existing exceptions for youth offender and elderly parole hearings, allowing qualified inmates in these categories to receive parole consideration according to established guidelines regardless of minimum term requirements. For inmates serving consecutive life sentences, the bill retains the requirement to complete minimum terms for each sentence before parole eligibility.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 126
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB356 Jones
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Brian Jones
Brian JonesR
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
269540PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires parole boards to review crime scene, autopsy, and weapon photographs during life sentence parole hearings.
  • Mandates documentation that all photographs and recommendations were considered in parole decisions.
  • Maintains the minimum seven-year imprisonment requirement before parole eligibility for life sentences.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Brian Jones
Brian JonesR
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Jones's parole reform measure would require the California Board of Parole Hearings to review crime scene photographs, autopsy photographs, and images of weapons used when evaluating parole applications from inmates serving life sentences.

The legislation adds these visual materials to the existing set of documents the Board must consider during parole hearings, which currently includes statements and recommendations from judges, district attorneys, sheriffs and other interested parties. Under the measure, the Board would need to document its consideration of these photographs in orders granting or denying parole. The bill maintains current requirements that inmates serve either seven years or their minimum sentenced term, whichever is greater, before becoming eligible for parole consideration.

The measure preserves existing exceptions for youth offender and elderly parole hearings, allowing qualified inmates in these categories to receive parole consideration according to established guidelines regardless of minimum term requirements. For inmates serving consecutive life sentences, the bill retains the requirement to complete minimum terms for each sentence before parole eligibility.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 126
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB356 Jones
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
269540PASS

Contacts

Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member