Bill Text: CA AB2648 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 2648

Introduced

Bill Title: Crimes: alternatives to incarceration.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced) 2026-02-21 - From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. [AB2648 Detail]

Download: California-2025-AB2648-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2648

Introduced by Assembly Member Johnson

February 20, 2026

An act to amend Section 17.2 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2648, as introduced, Johnson. Crimes: alternatives to incarceration.

Existing law requires a court to consider alternatives to incarceration, including, without limitation, collaborative justice court programs, diversion, restorative justice, and probation. Existing law states that it is the intent of the Legislature that the disposition of any criminal case use the least restrictive means possible.

This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to this provision.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 17.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

17.2.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the disposition of ~~any~~ a criminal case use the least restrictive means available.

(b) The court presiding over a criminal matter shall consider alternatives to incarceration, including, without limitation, collaborative justice court programs, diversion, restorative justice, and probation.

(c) The court shall have the discretion to determine the appropriate sentence according to relevant statutes and the sentencing rules of the Judicial Council.