Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla's Public Safety Legislation Signed by Governor

SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown has signed two important public safety bills by Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord):  

·         AB 884 helps sheriffs reduce pressure on crowded jails by extending the authority of county parole boards to supervise parolees from two to three years.

·         AB 908 improves the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) capability to prevent crimes of identity theft, counterfeiting, and document or consumer fraud.

“It is critical that our local law enforcement agencies are prepared to deal with increased inmate populations. AB 884 will relieve overcrowding while providing the opportunity for longer supervision under county parole,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “I am pleased that Governor Brown recognized the sheriffs’ pressing needs and approved this bill.”

“Our communities will be safer, judges will have more options in sentencing offenders, and the offenders themselves will have a greater chance at successful rehabilitation. I commend Assemblywoman Bonilla for her hard work on this important public safety legislation,” said David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner of Contra Costa County.

“This is common sense legislation that allows local sheriffs the flexibility to monitor and program offenders, hopefully reducing recidivism and making our communities safer,” said Thomas A. Ferrara, Sheriff-Coroner of Solano County.

Bonilla’s second public safety bill (AB 908) grants DMV access to advanced databases that will greatly assist investigators in locating suspects, victims, or persons of interest associated with crimes of identity theft, counterfeiting, document fraud, or consumer fraud.

“Identity theft has become rampant in our digital age and providing useful resources to law enforcement investigators can help prevent fraud and apprehend suspects,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “With AB 908 now law, DMV can utilize more information to investigate these crimes and better protect the public.”

“We believe AB 908 is critical to help DMV investigators,” said Jason M. Burruel, Legislative Director of the California Peace Officers Association, sponsor of the bill. “Accurate identification of persons with a government issued identification card is good for all including law enforcement.”