Immigration: access to legal counsel.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill adds a new section to the Welfare and Institutions Code that, if state funding is available, requires the Department of Social Services to provide free lawyers to immigrants who lack representation and meet certain indigency and California‑connection criteria. It sets up an administrator to run the program, contract with nonprofits, public defenders, or qualified private attorneys, and report annually to the Legislature. The measure aims to improve due‑process protections for detained immigrants and those facing removal.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 7). · Apr 8, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 13, 2026
• Human Services Committee Hearing
  Human Services · Apr 14, 2026
• Human Services
  Human Services · Apr 14, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Apr 7, 2026

History

1. May 14, 2026Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
2. May 14, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
3. May 13, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
4. Apr 15, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
5. Apr 13, 2026Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
6. Apr 9, 2026Read second time and amended.
7. Apr 8, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 7).
8. Mar 24, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
9. Mar 23, 2026Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HUM. S.
10. Mar 23, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
11. Feb 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
12. Feb 20, 2026Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Mia Bonta (D) · sponsor
• Ahrens
• Bonta
• Elhawary
• Kalra
• Ortega

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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