Criminal fees.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Passed
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to reduce the financial burden on low-income Californians by repealing the authority to collect many criminal fees, including those related to traffic violations, minor ward court fees, and controlled substance disposal. It requires unpaid court-imposed costs to be vacated, allows personal checks for court-ordered debt without certain conditions, and prohibits fees for returned checks. The bill also makes changes to ensure equitable access to justice and reduces the potential for cyclical poverty caused by these fees.
Key provisions
- Repeals the authority to collect many criminal fees.
- Makes unpaid court-imposed costs unenforceable and uncollectible.
- Requires court-ordered debt to be vacated if sentenced to state prison or county jail.
- Authorizes acceptance of personal checks for court-ordered debt without certain conditions.
- Prohibits public entities from charging fees for returned checks related to court-ordered debt.
- Modifies the Health and Safety Code regarding fees related to controlled substance disposal.
- Amends the Vehicle Code to eliminate fees for traffic violator school attendance.
- Updates the Penal Code to address fees related to probation, community service, and jail confinement.
Who is affected
- Low-income Californians
- Individuals facing criminal charges
- County and city governments
- Court systems
- Individuals sentenced to state prison or county jail
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
3 on record
Primary sponsor
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