AB 2294 Summary

• Allows peace officers to detain persons arrested for misdemeanors if they have been cited, arrested, or convicted for theft from a store in the previous 6 months and there is probable cause they committed organized retail theft; provisions expire January 1, 2026

• Authorizes courts to issue bench warrants for defendants who fail to appear in court and have been cited or arrested for misdemeanor or felony theft from a store with prior failures to appear in the last 6 months; expires January 1, 2026

• Permits city or county prosecutors and county probation departments to create diversion or deferred entry of judgment programs for persons committing theft or repeat theft offenses, with requirements for risk assessment and consideration of underlying substance abuse or mental health needs; expires January 1, 2026

• Requires Board of State and Community Corrections to award grants to 4 or more counties for demonstration projects testing formal probation programs for high-risk misdemeanor offenders, with reporting requirements and legislative review after 2 years; expires January 1, 2026

• Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute; bill provisions are severable