https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/new-california-laws-going-effect-2026 New California Laws Going into Effect in 2026natalie.l.ston… Tue, 12/30/2025 - 14:15 Feature More than 500 laws were passed in 2025 impacting the courts. Many of these laws will support the judicial branch to meet the needs of court users with diverse backgrounds and interests.  Immigration   California law offers some of the strongest protections for immigrants in the country. This year, as California was at the heart of the federal administration’s immigration activities, the courts have worked to ensure that court proceedings remain fair and accessible to all court users.   One law that supports this effort is SB 281, which requires the court to give a verbatim immigration advisement before a plea of guilty or no contest can be made. This means that the court must advise a defendant that if they are not a citizen, pleading guilty or no contest may result in immigration consequences like deportation. Pleading no contest means the defendant does not admit guilt but does concede the charge.    AB 1261 requires the state to provide legal counsel to immigrant youth in federal or related state immigration proceedings. The law would define immigrant youth as unaccompanied undocumented minors. The state can contract with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or an office of the public defender to provide this counsel.    Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice   In 2026, new laws will help counties and state departments further strengthen their child welfare services. AB 779 authorizes counties to establish a three-year pilot program. In this program, domestic violence consultants will offer guidance to county social workers on how to best support families potentially experiencing both domestic violence and child maltreatment. Counties will also be required to adopt a placement transition plan for foster youth (AB 896). This plan would be adopted before foster youth transition either between placement settings or from foster care to reunification. Additionally, the state’s Office of Child Abuse Prevention will develop a standardized curriculum for mandated reporters, available online by July 1, 2027 (SB 119).   In court proceedings, new laws aim to enhance minors’ experience with the court. Incarcerated parents now must be given the opportunity to be physically present at dependency hearings related to their child. If physical presence is waived, they can participate through videoconference or teleconference (AB 651). Additionally, the Family Preparedness Act of 2025 expands the definition of “relative” in caregivers’ authorization affidavits, which allow a caregiver to make decisions for a child without establishing formal guardianship. The new definition will include any adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, such as stepparents. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake pornography, which is AI-generated media imitating real people, is a concerning new form of exploitation that AB 621 seeks to protect minors from. This law revises the existing cause of action, or the circumstances that give a person the right to seek a remedy in court, for deepfake pornography. This law adds a cause of action against a person who knows, or reasonably should know, that an individual depicted in deepfake pornography material was a minor.   Mental Health   Image Caption The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act creates civil court proceedings, also known as CARE court, that can provide support for certain adults with severe mental illnesses.  California first implemented the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act (CARE) in 2023. This program allows adults to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan. CARE plans provide adults experiencing severe mental illness with services like behavioral health care or housing. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, eligibility for the CARE Act will include individuals who have bipolar I disorder with psychotic features (SB 27).   Criminal Law   Existing law says that a crime punishable by death, by imprisonment by the state, or by imprisonment in county jail for more than one year is a felony. All other offenses are either infractions or misdemeanors. AB 321 will allow the court to determine if a case will move forward as a felony or a misdemeanor at any time prior to trial.  Civil Law   AB 250 will allow plaintiffs to revive claims that would otherwise be barred prior to Jan. 1, 2026, because the statute of limitations has or had expired. The claim must allege that the plaintiff was sexually assaulted, that one or more entities are legally responsible for damages from the assault, and that the entities engaged in a cover up of previous allegations of sexual assault.    The Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025 will allow a tenant of a residential property to claim Social Security hardship as a defense for why they are not paying their rent. Social Security hardship is defined as a loss of income due to an interruption in the payment of Social Security benefits. Tenants would need to provide the court evidence that the payments have been interrupted, and they would need to pay all past due rent when Social Security benefits are restored.   Currently, when an adult petitions to change their name to match their gender identity, the court must review written objections to the petition. Beginning July 1, 2026, the court will no longer have an objection process for adult petitions. For minors, anyone objecting to a name-change petition must file a written objection within four weeks (AB 1084). Name-change petitions for minors are confidential, and starting on July 1, 2026, name-change petitions for adults will also be confidential (SB 59).   Court Procedure and Operations     AB 1524 will make public electronic records viewable at the court. The public will be able to use their own equipment to copy court records for free, while the integrity of the record will still be protected.   In bench trials, where a judge makes a ruling without a jury, any party in the trial may request a statement of decision. In a statement of decision, the court will explain the factual and legal basis for its decision. Currently, the length of a trial determines when a party can request a statement of decision. Under AB 515, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027, all trials will have the same rules for statements of decision, regardless of their length. Parties will have to request a statement of decision before the matter is submitted for decision. The court will also be able to issue a statement of decision without a request from the parties involved. Traffic Law  A program requiring a person convicted of Driving Under the Influence (a DUI) to install an ignition interlock device has been extended through January of 2033. If the person installs an ignition interlock device, they can apply for a restricted driver’s license (AB 366). Lawmakers have approved local California governments to establish automated traffic enforcement systems. The systems will be able to detect red light violations and ticket vehicles rather than drivers. Violations will be a civil penalty and will not result in the Department of Motor Vehicles suspending or revoking licenses (SB 720).   Artificial Intelligence   The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly in the last several years and the widespread use of generative AI, or AI that can create original content, presents new legal considerations. With the passage of AB 316, a defendant may not say artificial intelligence that they developed, modified, or used that is alleged is to have caused harm to the plaintiff did so autonomously.   Additionally, law enforcement agencies will need to identify when artificial intelligence was used in official reports and the type of program they used (SB 524).  Read the full 2025 Summary of Court-Related Legislation. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-continue-efforts-improve-availability-court-interpreters Judicial Council to Continue Efforts to Improve the Availability of Court InterpretersCorren, Blaine Fri, 12/12/2025 - 14:14 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its December 12 business meeting approved recommendations from a study on how to expand access to the pool of court interpreters able to assist the state’s nearly 6.4 million limited-English-proficient (LEP) residents and potential court users. Study considerations for the council include reviewing interpreter examination standards and content, adopting carryover scoring to aid candidates, and creating structured career pathways—including tiered systems and apprenticeship programs, particularly for Spanish interpreters. The study also advises that the council work with courts to develop a statewide directory for interpreters trained in video remote interpreting and continue expanding access to American Sign Language (ASL) and emerging languages. “There was broad agreement among the stakeholders for the recommendations and considerations,” said Court Executive Officer Anabel Romero, vice-chair of the council’s Court Interpreters Advisory Panel. “The study offers a roadmap for the branch to improve interpreter services for the public and to ensure our goals of high-quality equitable access for all Californians, regardless of the language they speak.” The study also calls for action by the Legislature, courts, and experienced court interpreters, which includes recommendations to continue adequately funding interpreter services, review and improve compensation packages, and develop mentorship programs. Watch Funding for Children’s Waiting RoomsThe council approved children’s waiting room fund balance cap adjustments requested by superior courts, which will allow them to continue planned operations and expansion of their children’s waiting rooms. The state encourages each courthouse to provide a waiting room for children whose parents or guardians are attending court proceedings. The waiting rooms offer professional childcare and activities, and protect children from the stress and potential trauma of courtroom environments. The Children’s Waiting Room (CWR) Distribution and Fund Balance Policy sets a cap on how much money each court may retain in its CWR fund. If a court’s balance exceeds this cap, the excess must be returned to the Trial Court Trust Fund for the benefit of courts statewide, unless the council approves a request from the court to increase the cap. For today’s meeting, the council received requests from five superior courts to increase their caps to cover costs related to maintenance and expansion of their children’s waiting rooms. By approving the requests, courts can retain this funding to support their waiting rooms. “This funding apparatus is a splendid example of the Judicial Council’s transparency in this aspect of our funding but also how efficiently we’re using this money,” said Judge Ann Moorman, chair of the council’s Judicial Branch Budget Committee. “Because of the biannual review that occurs, trial courts have to evaluate how much they need and how they use it, and then turn it back when they don’t use it. We can then support these five courts—Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara—with their expanded financial needs using the same money that’s been allocated.” Watch Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules: The council adopted the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition: Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing (UBPS). The UBPS includes schedules for traffic infractions, traffic misdemeanors, boating, forestry, fish and game, public utilities, parks and recreation, and business licensing. With specified exceptions, the traffic infraction schedule must be followed by the courts. On an annual basis, trial courts must also revise and adopt countywide schedules of bail and penalties for all misdemeanor and infraction offenses except Vehicle Code infractions. To achieve substantial uniformity of penalties throughout the state, courts must consider the UBPS in performing those duties. Changes to the annual schedules are primarily based on legislative changes but can also result from input by courts and justice system partners. Watch Trial Court Trust Funds: The council approved requests from trial courts under a program that allows them to request that a reduction in their Trial Court Trust Fund allocations be retained as a restricted fund balance for the benefit of those courts. The funds are then allocated back to the courts by the council for only the purposes stated in their approved requests, which can include projects related to technology infrastructure and upgrades, new audio and visual equipment, and courthouse maintenance and repairs. A report on this project funding is made publicly available on the California courts public website. Watch Legislative Priorities: The council approved the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users, which includes: adequate court funding to address increased costs; remote access to the courts while balancing due process; new judicial officer positions in counties with the greatest need; ensuring the availability of verbatim records of court proceedings; efficient court operations; and increased security to safeguard personnel, the public, and court systems from physical and cyber threats. Watch The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center—an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/new-california-laws-going-effect-2025 New California Laws Going Into Effect in 2025Karen.Datangel Tue, 12/31/2024 - 17:08 Feature Cracking Down on Retail Theft Organized retail theft is permanently codified into California law through AB 1802 and SB 982. It is now considered a felony to possess over $950 of items obtained through retail theft with the intention to resell (AB 2943). Similarly, breaking into vehicles to steal property valued at $950 or more with the intention to resell is now also considered a felony (SB 905). Juvenile Dependency and Child Welfare Effective immediately, child custody proceedings involving Indian children must follow the California Indian Child Welfare Act. This means conducting inquiry on the child’s possible Native American heritage and tribal membership eligibility at the first court appearance. Parties and persons present at the proceedings must also inform the court if they receive information about the child’s possible Native American heritage. (AB 81) Collaborative Courts A few changes will affect collaborative justice courts, which combine judicial supervision with rehabilitative services. If a defendant is charged with a drug offense, courts are required to order an available drug treatment or education program. (AB 2106) A probation officer can refer offenses to youth court (with consent from the youth and family) as opposed to filing a petition to declare the youth as a dependent or ward of the court under SB 1005. Under SB 1323, courts are now allowed to make competency determinations based on written evaluations by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists. Additionally, courts may refer incompetent defendants charged with felonies to mental health diversion programs. Furthermore, under SB 1400, if a defendant is incompetent to stand trial in a misdemeanor case, the court must consider referral to diversion or other options and subsequent dismissal at certain timeframes. Under SB 910, treatment courts in California will need to operate in accordance with state and national guidelines, and the Judicial Council will be required to revise drug court standards of administration by Jan. 1, 2026. Felony offenses will be added to pretrial diversion programs in veterans court under SB 1025. Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic across all industries and especially in California. The state will implement the CA Transparency Act, which requires AI businesses to identify AI-generated content (SB 942). This law will be set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Courts and Access to Justice The CARE Act has been implemented in all California counties as of Dec. 1 of this year. Starting July 1, 2025, California courts will be required to provide ongoing notice of CARE Act proceedings to original petitioners (SB 42). In continuing the council’s commitment to access to justice, AB 170 will extend remote proceedings in juvenile and civil cases. Courtrooms utilizing remote technology will need to meet minimum standards set by the Judicial Council, as well as provide regular reporting to the courts and the council. Other Laws of Note  Starting January 1, 2025, tenants will have 10 days to respond to an unlawful detainer summons and complaint, doubling the previous 5-day deadline that has been in effect since 1971 (AB 2347). Under AB 1186, minors can no longer be charged with restitution fines and any outstanding balances of these fines will be uncollectible and unenforceable 10 years after they were imposed. Read the full 2024 Summary of Court-Related Legislation https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/judicial-council-get-update-care-act-programs Judicial Council to Get Update on CARE Act ProgramsCorren, Blaine Tue, 01/16/2024 - 10:21 News Release SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council at its Jan. 19 meeting will receive an update from two of the eight superior courts that have started receiving CARE Act petitions, including lessons learned from their experiences. The act authorizes specified people to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan that can include treatment, housing support, and other services for persons with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. At the meeting, judges from Orange and San Diego counties will highlight their courts’ efforts around stakeholder engagement and implementing the CARE Act, which include: Holding meetings for judicial officers and training for court staff; Collaborating with community stakeholders, including county partners, legal aid, and treatment providers; and Community outreach and education via websites, publications, and media Seven counties (Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, Tuolumne) started CARE Act implementation Oct. 1. Los Angeles County implemented the act on Dec. 1, and the remaining 50 counties must implement by Dec. 1, 2024. The act tasked the council with collecting data on the program’s implementation, which it reports quarterly to California Department of Health Care Services. Presenters will share the latest statewide statistics on the act’s implementation at the council meeting.  The council helped courts put the legislation into practice by approving new court rules and forms and creating fact sheets, webinars, and videos to educate courts and the public about the CARE Act process. The council also continues to meet with courts and county stakeholders to gauge progress and identify challenges. Remote Appearances in Civil Cases Get High Marks The council will also receive a report finding the ability to hold remote appearances in civil cases is popular with court users and staff. On June 30, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 133 to extend the option to appear remotely for a court conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial using remote technology in civil cases. Set to sunset January 1, 2026, the bill also requires the council to submit annual reports to the Legislature on any technology issues affecting the remote proceedings. The latest report shows that: California courts statewide handled nearly 150K civil proceedings remotely per month More than 90% of court users and 98% of court staff reported a positive experience Overall, less than 5% of litigants and only 2% of court staff reported experiencing technical issues during the remote proceeding Other Items on the Council Meeting Agenda: Racial Justice Toolkit for Judicial Officers and Court Staff: The council will review a new toolkit designed to help bench officers, trial court leaders, and court staff incorporate racial diversity, equity, and inclusion into their court operations; build effective community partnerships; train and educate staff; and develop and sustain a diverse workforce. The online toolkit has studies, practice guides, and links to sample racial justice programs. Update on Program Providing Free Legal Services in High-Stakes Civil Cases: The council will receive an update on the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act pilot program, which funds free legal services for low-income Californians facing critical civil cases such as child custody, eviction, conservatorship, elder abuse, and restraining orders. Education for Judges and Court Staff: The council will consider its next two-year education plan for developing and delivering education to the judicial branch, which includes justices, judges, and court staff. The plan includes live programs and courses, offered both in person and remotely, as well as on-demand videos, online courses, webinars, podcasts, and publications. 2024 Legislative Priorities: The council will consider the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users, which includes adequate court funding to address increased costs, remote access to the courts while balancing due process, new judicial officer positions in counties with the greatest need, ensuring the availability of verbatim records of court proceedings, and efficient court operations. The complete council meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/council-approves-legislative-priorities-courts Council Approves Legislative Priorities for the CourtsCorren, Blaine Fri, 01/21/2022 - 12:29 News Release VIA WEB CONFERENCE—The Judicial Council approved the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users. This year’s legislative agenda includes: Advocating for stable and reliable funding for courts to maintain in-person services and expand online services Securing more judgeships for the superior courts with the greatest need Implementing pretrial detention reform to increase the safe and efficient release of people arrested before trial “The priorities are consistent with the council’s strategic plan,” said Judge Marla Anderson, chair of the council’s Legislation Committee. “Those objectives seek to improve the administration of justice, support the integrity and independence of the judicial branch, and ensure that judicial procedures and efficiencies ensure access to the courts.” Watch Other items on the Jan. 21 council meeting agenda include: Proposed Judicial Branch Budget: The council’s Administrative Director Martin Hoshino provided an overview of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for the judicial branch in fiscal year 2022-23, which provides a historic $5.2 billion—the largest ever budget for the judicial branch. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye acknowledged the Governor “clearly recognizes how important equal access to justice is for all Californians.” (Chief Justice’s full statement on the proposed budget) Funding for Court Reporters in Family and Juvenile Proceedings: The council approved $30 million in  state budget funds to increase the number of court reporters in civil and family law cases. Watch Increased Rate for Court Reporter Transcripts: The council approved $7 million in state budget funds to help trial courts cover the increased costs for court reporter transcripts of court proceedings. Watch Court Interpreter Reimbursements: The council also approved state budget funds for court interpreting. The funding will help ensure meaningful access for non-English speaking litigants in courtroom proceedings and for other courthouse services. Watch Education for Judges and Court Staff: The council approved its next two-year education plan for developing and delivering education to the judicial branch. The plan includes live programs and courses, offered both in person and remotely, as well as on-demand videos, online courses, podcasts, and publications. While all judicial branch education since March 2020 has been delivered remotely due to the pandemic, this updated education plan reflects the conclusion that certain programs are more effectively delivered in person. Watch The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. An archived webcast of the entire meeting broken out by topic will be added to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/council-consider-legislative-priorities-courts Council to Consider Legislative Priorities for the CourtsCorren, Blaine Fri, 01/14/2022 - 10:09 News Release VIA WEB CONFERENCE—The Judicial Council next week will consider the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users. This year’s recommended legislative agenda includes: Advocating for stable and reliable funding for courts to maintain in-person services and expand online services   Securing more judgeships for the superior courts with the greatest need   Implementing pretrial detention reform to increase the safe and efficient release of people arrested before trial Other items on the Jan. 21 council meeting agenda include: Funding for Court Reporters in Family and Juvenile Proceedings: The council will consider how to allocate $30 million from the state budget to increase the number of court reporters in civil and family law cases. Increased Rate for Court Reporter Transcripts: The council will consider how to allocate $7 million from the state budget to help trial courts cover the increased costs for court reporter transcripts of court.  Education for Judges and Court Staff: The council will consider its next two-year education plan for developing and delivering education to the judicial branch. The plan includes live programs and courses, offered both in person and remotely, as well as on-demand videos, online courses, podcasts, and publications. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts website on the day of the meeting.