Assembly BillIntroduced
AB 1962: California Indigent Defense Commission.
What AB 1962 does, verified February 20, 2026
The bill aims to establish the California Indigent Defense Commission to ensure that indigent defense services meet constitutional and professional standards. The commission will oversee the improvement of indigent defense, building on the existing role of the state public defender in awarding grants to enhance services. The goal is to provide high-quality representation to defendants who cannot afford counsel, in line with federal and state constitutional rights.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From printer. May be heard in committee March 16. (2026-02-14)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 14, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 16. |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 13, 2026 · 212 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1962
| Introduced by Assembly Member Hart |
February 13, 2026 |
An act relating to indigent defense.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1962, as introduced, Hart. California Indigent Defense Commission.
Existing law affords a defendant in a criminal case a federal and state constitutional right to have the assistance of counsel for the defendant’s defense. Under existing law, if the defendant in a criminal case is unable to employ counsel, the court is required to assign counsel to defend them, as specified.
Under existing law, one of the primary responsibilities of the State Public Defender is to engage in efforts to improve the quality of indigent defense. Existing law authorizes the State Public Defender to administer and award grants to improve indigent defense services.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish the California Indigent Defense Commission, an entity responsible for ensuring that indigent defense services meet constitutional and professional standards.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish the California Indigent Defense Commission, an entity responsible for ensuring that indigent defense services meet constitutional and professional standards.Text of AB 1962 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions