CA SB255

Requires the Judicial Council to develop a statewide court reminder program allowing county courts to send text message notifications to defendants about scheduled court appearances.

Program must send reminders at least one week prior, three days prior, and on the day of hearings, and include information about court location, transportation options, and procedures for defendants unable to attend.

Mandates each law enforcement agency to collect cell phone numbers from persons accused of criminal offenses upon citation or booking and transmit them to the county court in their jurisdiction.

Requires all county superior courts to participate in the program and submit monthly data to the Judicial Council, including number of defendants contacted, reminders sent, and failure-to-appear rates, with annual reporting to the Legislature beginning July 1, 2025.

Establishes an implementation oversight committee of 5-10 members to advise on system design, research best practices, and identify implementation barriers.