Felony Murder Elimination Project wishes to pass on the following legislative update on Senate Bill 672, shared with us by the SB 672 Advocacy Team.
Since we announced the pause of the Youth Rehabilitation and Opportunity Act (SB 672, Sen. Rubio D22) last June, our coalition has continued to work hard to win the possibility of parole for young people sentenced to life without parole (LWOP). However, after deep deliberation, we have determined that there is no longer a responsible path for advancing SB 672 this year. While we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with SB 672, we are already preparing for the 2027-28 legislative cycle and a new bill.
It is important to understand why this decision was necessary. SB 672 was written to close a gap in California law by providing the possibility of parole to young people (ages 18-25) sentenced to LWOP.
This mission is rooted in the neuroscience of brain development and a fundamental belief in rehabilitation. As the bill progressed through the legislative process, numerous amendments were made. It reached a point where the bill departed significantly from our original intent and potentially harmful legal and procedural ramifications had been introduced. We could no longer support SB 672.
We recognize the frustration, disappointment, and even anger this news may bring. We feel it too: four of us on the leadership team were once sentenced to LWOP and left brothers and sisters behind, and several others have family members currently serving the sentence. The failure of this bill is deeply personal, and we never stop thinking of people who are currently incarcerated with LWOP. The unfortunate reality is that bills of this magnitude take time, determination, and hope. Not that long ago, no one sentenced to LWOP had the possibility of release. However, due to the fierce perseverance of Elizabeth Calvin and many others, laws were changed-including SB 9, 260, 261, 394, and AB 1308-providing 1000s of people with an opportunity for parole. The fact is those wins took years to pass. The folks who have made it home have shown us the power and possibility of second chances. We want those of you still waiting for your opportunity to maintain your resolve and know that we, along with many, many other advocates and activists, remain committed to changing the law.
We are already laying the groundwork for a successful campaign, and we will continue to build on that work throughout this year. We have had thousands of conversations, collected 2,000+ support letters from people across California, grown our community of supporters to 100+ organizations, raised funds to fuel our work, and engaged directly with legislators. Our work is not over; rather, it is entering a new phase. We ask for your continued support so that, when we launch in 2027, we will be on a path to victory.
With determination and hope,
The SB 672 Advocacy Team
