Committee advances bill to add DMV points for offenses dismissed after diversion programs

Summary

AB 16 62 would require the DMV to assess points for point-eligible offenses that were dismissed after successful completion of diversion programs; supporters said it restores accountability for dangerous driving, while opponents said it could undercut diversion's rehabilitative purpose and disproportionately harm low-income Californians.

Assemblymember Wilson presented AB 16 62 to require the Department of Motor Vehicles to assess points on drivers' records for point‑eligible offenses even when those cases are dismissed following completion of diversion programs.

Jonathan Feldman of the California Police Chiefs Association said the measure restores integrity to the negligent-operator point system and is a public-safety tool to identify repeated dangerous drivers. Justin Vanzall of the Safe California Roads Coalition called the existing situation "amazingly silly" and said the bill corrects a loophole where a person could cause a fatal crash, be diverted and not have the incident reflected on their driving record.

Aubrey Rodriguez of ACLU Cal Action urged a no vote, saying diversion reduces recidivism and that adding points could deter participation and worsen economic harms for low‑income Californians. Committee members debated balancing accountability with diversion's rehabilitative goals; the committee ultimately passed the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.