The California Senate has approved Senate Bill 672, the Youth Rehabilitation and Opportunity Act, which would allow inmates sentenced to life without parole to request early release if their crimes were committed before age 26. The measure, introduced by Democratic Sen. Susan Rubio, was amended to exclude criminals convicted of certain offenses the chance to seek parole, including those who killed a law enforcement officer or carried out a mass shooting at a school, among other offenses.
The bill passed the Senate by a 24-11 party-line vote, signaling the Democratic Party’s strong support for the measure. However, Republicans have largely opposed the legislation, criticizing it as a ‘soft-on-crime’ proposal that helps criminals and ignores victims. Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones accused Democrats of ‘opening the prison gates for over 1,600 cold-blooded killers,’ arguing that the bill does not consider the impact on victims and their families. Similar concerns have been raised by other Republican lawmakers, who believe the legislation undermines public safety and weakens the justice system.
Supporters of the bill argue it provides a second chance for individuals who committed crimes at a younger age, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. However, critics maintain that violent offenders who committed heinous crimes deserve to serve their full sentences. The bill notes that victims’ rights at a parole hearing will not be changed, but critics argue that even this provision fails to address the concerns of survivors and their families. Crime Victims United, in a letter to Rubio, criticized the bill for threatening public safety and ignoring the rights of victims and their families.
With strong opposition from Republican lawmakers, including Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher who has vowed to kill the bill in the Assembly, the fate of Senate Bill 672 remains uncertain. The bill now faces the challenge of passing through the Assembly, where it is expected to face significant resistance. As the debate continues, the issue of criminal justice reform and the balance between rehabilitation and public safety remains a contentious topic in California politics.