Assembly BillIntroducedPenal
AB 2648: Crimes: alternatives to incarceration.
What AB 2648 does, verified February 24, 2026
This bill aims to amend the law regarding alternatives to incarceration. It seeks to ensure that the least restrictive means possible are used to dispose of criminal cases. The bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to this provision.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. (2026-02-21)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 21, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. |
| Feb. 20, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 20, 2026 · 199 words
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.
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(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.
Text of AB 2648 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions