Source: calmatters.org 9/30/26
People convicted of serious sex offenses must serve at least 25 years in prison and cannot receive parole until age 65 under a new California. Previously, some could earn parole at 50.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Wednesday that will raise the age of parole eligibility for sex offenders serving life sentences.
A Sacramento-area legislator brought forward the bill, which raises the age of eligibility from 50 to 65 for people who have already served 25 years in prison, after the Board of Parole Hearings recommend release of two sex offenders from her district who were serving life sentences.
“It takes a more targeted approach and draws a clear line for the most serious sexual offenses, including cases involving multiple victims, while raising the bar for others before they can even be considered for release,” said bill author Stephanie Nguyen, a Democratic Assemblymember from Elk Grove.
Some civil rights and prisoner advocacy groups raised concerns about the proposals, arguing they could weaken parole laws that have proven effective in reducing the state’s incarcerated population.
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