Author recounts daughter's death as he pushes bill to bar most generous early-release formula for child abusers

Assemblymember Hoover brought AB 1011 to the committee with personal testimony: he recounted the 2019 death of his daughter, Ryla, saying the daycare worker convicted of child abuse causing death served only a short time in jail before entering Cal Fire camp and being released.

"No parent should have to watch your child ... watch us heartbeat and turn blue," Hoover said, describing the family's loss and urging the legislature to act so similar offenders cannot shorten their terms under the two-thirds early-release formula associated with the fire camp program.

Supporters included the California State Sheriffs' Association and other victims' advocates. Hoover described the bill as narrowly tailored: it would not bar participation in fire camp or deny other early-release credits; rather it would prevent offenders convicted under Penal Code section 273a (child endangerment resulting in great bodily injury or death) from qualifying for the most generous two-thirds early-release formula.

Opponents — including Initiate Justice, the California Public Defenders Association and the Ella Baker Center — argued the bill would remove rehabilitation opportunities and that such programs reduce recidivism and support transformation. "These are human beings working to be better," said Elizabeth Kim of Initiate Justice, who described firsthand experience working in prisons and with incarcerated students.

Margo George of the Public Defenders Association also noted the breadth of the underlying statute 273a and warned the bill might catch parents who made tragic mistakes devoid of malicious intent. Committee members acknowledged the pain of victims and discussed the balance between punishment and rehabilitation.

No formal vote occurred at the hearing; the committee lacked a quorum and deferred formal action.