With over 3,000 emails and a relentless campaign, #JayZ and #MeekMill’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Thanks to REFORM Alliance, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill—AB 1950–into law that has a major impact on the state’s probation system.
The newly signed law limits adult probation sentences to a maximum of 1 year for misdemeanor, and 2 years for felony offenses, according to @tmztv.
“I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership in signing AB 1950, the most transformative probation bill in this country to date,” JAY-Z said in a statement. “This is a first step that I hope introduces a wave of much needed change throughout the country.”
As we previously reported, Gavin Newsom signed another major bill, on Wednesday, that will allow the state to pay reparations of some kind to Black Californians, especially those who are descendants of slaves.
While the law does not state a specific payment method or amount, it allows for a nine-member task force to assemble and make recommendations on how reparations would be provided, such as through compensation or restitution.
Along with possible reparations, the task force will be allowed to make recommendations on eliminating state laws and policies that perpetuate discrimination and on issuing a formal apology “for the perpetration of gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants,” according to @sacramentobee.
Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 2147 that will allow inmates to have records cleared and become a professional firefighter, after their sentence has been completed. He stated, “Inmates who have stood on the frontlines, battling historic fires should not be denied the right to later become a professional firefighter.” Gov. Newsom said on Twitter after signing the transformative bill.
