AB 1869 Summary: Criminal Fees

• Repeals authority to collect numerous criminal justice administrative fees imposed on defendants for costs such as probation supervision, arrest processing, electronic monitoring, work furlough programs, and home detention programs, effective July 1, 2021.

• Makes unpaid balances of specified court-imposed costs unenforceable and uncollectible as of July 1, 2021, and requires courts to vacate any judgment portions imposing those costs.

• Eliminates court authority to impose liens on defendants' property and conduct post-trial ability-to-pay hearings for public defender costs, requiring counties to provide public defense without cost recovery from defendants.

• Appropriates $50,000 to Department of Finance for implementation and $65,000,000 annually to counties from 2021-22 through 2025-26 to backfill revenue losses from fee repeals.

• Applies dual-date provisions with most sections remaining in effect until July 1, 2021, then being repealed and re-enacted effective that date to comply with budget-related bill requirements.