Inmate release: notice to victims.

Assembly Member Essayli's proposal to extend victim notification periods before inmate releases would modify California's existing notification requirements for certain criminal cases. The legislation changes the minimum advance notice period from 15 to 20 days when individuals convicted of stalking or felony domestic violence are released from state prisons or county jails.

Under current law, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county sheriffs, and local corrections directors must notify victims, their family members, and case witnesses before an inmate's release, parole status change, or escape. The notification system allows recipients to select their preferred communication method - telephone, mail, or certified mail - provided that option is available. Recipients must maintain current contact information with authorities to receive notifications, though departments are required to make reasonable attempts to locate those whose information becomes outdated. Victims may also designate another person to receive notifications on their behalf.

The bill maintains existing confidentiality protections that prevent notification details from being shared with the convicted individual. It preserves the current definition of "release" to include completion of sentence, transfer to parole or probation supervision, and escape from facilities. The legislation also retains provisions requiring law enforcement to inform victims of their notification rights if they had not previously requested updates, as well as requirements for prompt escape notifications to all designated recipients.