The California Constitution vests the judicial power of the state in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts, and establishes the Judicial Council to, among other things, adopt rules of court and perform functions prescribed by statute.

This bill would require each county to develop a court reminder program that allows a superior court, county defense agency or contractor, pretrial services provider, or a community-based organization to send a text message to notify defendants of scheduled court appearances, as specified. The bill would require the arresting law enforcement agency to request a cellular telephone number of a person accused of a criminal offense upon citation or booking for the purpose of receiving court notifications and to transmit that number to the relevant agency managing the court reminder program in their jurisdiction. The bill would require the arresting law enforcement agency to dispose of the cellular telephone number after transmission to the relevant agency if there is no other legally mandated requirement to retain it. The bill would prohibit law enforcement agencies and the courts from using contact information collected solely through this program for any purpose other than for court date reminders. By imposing a new duty on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.