Governor Newsom Signs New Law Bolstering Elderly Parole Requirements

RIVERSIDE – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2727 (AB 2727), legislation supported by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office that bolsters California’s laws governing elderly parole requirements.

Under existing law, individuals aged 50 or older who have served at least 20 years of continuous incarceration may be considered for elderly parole, risking the premature release of dangerous offenders and jeopardizing public safety.

AB 2727 appropriately addresses these risks by establishing that individuals convicted of various sexual offenses—including rape, sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault of a child—are not eligible under the Elderly Parole Program unless the convicted person is 65 years of age and has served a minimum of 25 years of continuous incarceration before being considered for parole. The bill also expands the number of sex offenders who qualify for continued custody under the Sexually Violent Predator law. These provisions ensure that parole eligibility better reflects both the gravity of the underlying offense and the ongoing risk to the community.

"The pain of victims of sexual offenses continues well after their perpetrator is convicted and incarcerated. AB 2727 reflects that reality and acts as a safeguard for Californians," said Chief Deputy District Attorney Ivy Fitzpatrick, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office legislative representative.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office thanks Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen for her leadership in advancing AB 2727and Governor Newsom for signing this legislation into law.