Provides for victim statements at the sentencing of a defendant for a misdemeanor
This bill amends sentencing rules to allow victims to make statements at sentencing for specific misdemeanor cases. It directly affects victims of misdemeanors involving serious physical injury caused by vehicle-related offenses (like reckless driving) that were initially charged as felonies. The key provision requires courts to permit victim statements if requested at least 10 days before sentencing, and to notify defendants of this intent at least 7 days prior. If defendants don't receive timely notice, they may request a sentencing delay. The bill does not change sentencing outcomes but adds a procedural step for victim input in these defined cases.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Last action May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
S611A
→
S611B
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill expands the right to speak at a defendant's sentencing hearing by allowing a victim to designate another person to make the statement on their behalf. It also clarifies that this right applies to misdemeanor cases involving serious physical injury, ensuring victims have a voice in sentencing for both felonies and misdemeanors.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include misdemeanor offenses resulting in serious physical injury, whereas the previous version only clearly applied to felonies.
ELIGIBILITY
The right to make a victim impact statement was extended to include cases where the defendant is sentenced for a misdemeanor that caused serious physical injury.
REQUIREMENT
New language allows a victim to designate another person to speak on their behalf during the sentencing statement.
The text was updated to clarify that the right to speak applies to 'anyone designated by the victim,' ensuring the designated speaker has the same standing as the victim.
Floor votes · Senate May 29, 2025
How they voted
56–0
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 63
May 29, 2025
D
Democratic41
87% Yea
R
Republican22
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Amendments
3
May 19, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
REPASSED SENATE
upper
May 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING 611B
upper
May 6, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 611A
upper
May 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CODES
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Toby Stavisky
DDemocratic
Co
Dean Murray
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
Rob Rolison
RRepublican
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