San Diego City Wire

Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones from San Diego introduced Senate Bill 286. This legislation aims to address a loophole in California's Elderly Parole program that permits the early release of violent sex offenders and murderers.

Leader Jones stated, “Releasing violent rapists under the so-called ‘elderly parole’ is not only an insult to victims but a grave danger to Californians.” He expressed concern for survivors and families affected by these crimes, arguing that the current system favors criminals over law-abiding citizens.

The Elderly Parole program was expanded through Assembly Bill 3234 in 2020, which reduced the age threshold for eligibility from 60 to 50 years. This change allows violent sex offenders to be considered for parole after serving just 20 years. The bill passed without a Senate policy committee hearing.

“A grave injustice was done to victims and the public when Democrats secretly slipped this change into a budget bill with no transparency or public input,” Leader Jones continued. He criticized proponents of AB 3234 for not fixing what he sees as an oversight regarding sex offenders' eligibility.

Since AB 3234's passage, several child molesters have become eligible for parole under this program, causing distress for victims and their families who seek to keep these individuals incarcerated.

This is Leader Jones’s second attempt at closing this loophole; his previous effort with SB 445 in 2021 was halted by Senate Democrats. SB 286 has received support from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephen and awaits assignment to a Senate policy committee for further discussion.