Hoping to Avoid the Reversal of Prop. 47, Newsom Signs 25 Crime Reform Bills

8.16.24: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 25 bills Friday, "aimed at setting a path to reform California's criminal justice system," his office said in a press release.

Among other changes, the bills made online platforms like Craigslist legally responsible for the sale of stolen goods on their platforms.

California's government hopes the reforms will head off the passage of Proposition 33. On the November ballot, the bill would reverse Prop. 47, the so called "Safe Neighborhoods Act. Prop 47 made neighborhoods unsafe by decriminalizing crimes. Among Proposition 47's signature - and most controversial - policy changes: it lowered simple possession of illegal drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor and raised the felony threshold for theft from $400 to $950.

Kamala Harris is listed as one of the authors of Prop. 47. Another is George Gascon, LA County's District Attorney.

In November 2024, voters will likely approve Proposition 36, a state statute initiative placed on the ballot via petition. It would increase the penalties and sentences for certain drug and theft crimes, which currently are only chargeable as misdemeanors. It would allow, among others, felony charges for possessing fentanyl and other certain drugs, and for thefts under $950, with two prior drug or theft convictions.

Newsom has stated that he is opposed to Proposition 36. Public opinion polls are very much in favor of the measure, which is seen as a way to restore some penalties for crimes such as theft and drugs.

AB 1076 creates an automated record clearance system for low-level offenses. AB 484 ends a mandatory minimum for certain drug crimes.   SB 22 speeds up rape kit processing on new cases, preventing future backlogs. AB 917 expedites the victim certification process for the purposes of obtaining T-Visas or U-Visas