AB 2018 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Missing persons: DNA testing.

Summary

Existing law requires the Department of Justice to develop a DNA database for all cases involving the report of an unidentified deceased person or a high-risk missing person and provides for the collection of DNA samples from unidentified deceased persons and from potential sources for comparison, as specified. Existing law requires that the database be funded by a $2 increase on death certificates issued by a local government agency or by the State of California. Existing law specifies the procedure for identifying the backlog of unidentified remains. Under existing law, all samples and DNA extracted from a living person are required to be destroyed after a positive identification is made and a report is issued, except as specified. This bill would require the DNA database be used for all cases involving the report of an unidentified person, whether living or deceased, and would delete provisions relating to the reporting of high-risk missing persons. The bill would additionally authorize the retention of DNA extracted from a living person under these provisions if the identified human remains are incomplete and there is a reasonable expectation that additional remains requiring identification may be found in the future. The bill would also make conforming changes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Jul 2026

Assembly Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

Jul 2026

Signed into Law

Jul 2026

Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Signed Jul 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

02/17/26 - Introduced → 04/07/26 - Amended Assembly · 6 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

The amendment broadens the scope of the Missing Persons DNA Database from covering only unidentified deceased persons to all unidentified persons, whether living or deceased. It also explicitly names the 'Missing Persons DNA Program' throughout the bill and adds four coauthors. The digest indicates that provisions relating to the reporting of high-risk missing persons would be deleted, though the core DNA collection and comparison framework remains intact.

Scope change

The bill's scope is broadened from covering only unidentified deceased persons (and their remains) to all unidentified persons whether living or deceased. This affects both the DNA database population and the funding purpose language in Section 14251.

SCOPE

Changed 'unidentified deceased person' to 'unidentified person' in Section 14250(a)(1), broadening the DNA database to cover unidentified living persons in addition to deceased ones.

Changed 'remains of unidentified deceased persons' to 'unidentified persons' in the DNA comparison provision (subdivision (a)(3)), removing the limitation to physical remains and deceased individuals.

In Section 14251(b), changed funding purpose language from 'cases of missing persons and unidentified remains' to 'cases of missing persons and unidentified persons,' consistent with the broader scope change.

TECHNICAL

Explicitly named the 'Missing Persons DNA Program' in multiple provisions (subdivisions (a)(1), (b), (c), and (d)) rather than referring generically to 'the Department of Justice.'

Added coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Harabedian, Lackey, and Schultz.

DEFINITION

Removed the phrase 'shall be selected by the department' from the DNA marker provision, eliminating the explicit requirement that DOJ select which genetic markers are used.

Floor votes · Senate Jul 2, 2026 · Assembly May 26, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Jul 2, 2026

D Democratic30

28 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican10

9 Yea 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 16, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor.

legislature

Jul 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.

lower

Jul 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.).

upper

Jun 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.

upper

Jun 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Jun 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

upper

May 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.)

lower

May 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

lower

May 13, 2026

Committee

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee March 20.

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors