SB 281: Pleas: immigration advisement.

The bill aims to amend the law requiring courts to advise defendants of potential immigration consequences before accepting a guilty or nolo contendere plea. If a defendant is not a U.S. citizen, the court must provide an advisement stating that conviction may result in deportation, exclusion from admission, or denial of naturalization. The bill clarifies the advisement to ensure it is given verbatim and states the potential immigration consequences. For pleas accepted before January 1, 2026, the court's failure to provide the exact advisement does not necessarily require the judgment to be vacated or the plea to be withdrawn.