CA AB2625

Each county must develop a court reminder program allowing superior courts, defense agencies, pretrial services providers, or community-based organizations to send text message reminders to defendants about scheduled court appearances.

Court reminder program must send text messages at least one week prior, three days prior, and one day prior to court hearings, be available at no cost, automatically enroll arrested persons who provide a phone number, and provide reminders in the state's threshold languages.

Arresting law enforcement agencies must request a cellular telephone number upon citation or booking, transmit it to the court reminder program agency, and dispose of the number if no other legal requirement mandates retention.

Contact information collected solely through this program cannot be used by law enforcement or courts for any purpose other than court date reminders, and refusing to provide a phone number cannot be held against a defendant.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill creates state-mandated costs, reimbursement shall be made pursuant to Part 7 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.