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BREAKING NEWS! SB 731 FAILED PASSAGE

Published on 9/13/2021

SB 731, the bill written to close criminal records with few exceptions four years following the completion of all legal requirements (prison, parole, probation, community service, etc.), FAILED passage. 

It was the last bill taken up by the Assembly Friday night around 9:00 PM and the session has ended for the year! Assemblymember Jim Cooper (Elk Grove) led the charge in opposition and convinced many of his colleagues to vote or abstain. 

I am proud to say that Assemblymember Cooper used CALI's arguments to craft his argument to the Assembly Floor. CALI's lobbying firm was in the trenches until the very end (Thank you, Jerry and Anne). And thank you to the members who reached out to their clients and other organizations. It really is true that when we work together, we CAN (and do) make a difference! 

It has been a tough fight. We were battling against an immense number who supported criminal justice reform designed to allow people caught in the criminal justice system to obtain employment and housing. (Over 100 groups and 125 individuals either testified or officially communicated their support.)  

We worked directly with the District Attorney Association and Professional Association of Background Screeners but encountered obstacles at every turn. In the end, a few more groups joined in opposition – but compared to the support, it was negligible.
 
Here is the Final List of Opposition
Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws 
California Association of Licensed Investigators 
California Board of Psychology
California District Attorneys Association 
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association 
Dental Hygiene Board of California 
Peace Officers Research Association of California
Physician Assistant Board 
Veterinary Medical Board 


Francie Koehler, CPI
Government Affairs Chair
specialcircumstancespi@gmail.com