Senate committee advances bill to require courts to notify DMV when diversion is granted

Assemblymember Wilson presented AB 16 62 on Tuesday, asking the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety to require courts that grant misdemeanor diversion in serious vehicular cases to forward notice to the Department of Motor Vehicles so the agency can assign administrative points.

The bill, the author said, aims to close what supporters described as an information‑sharing gap exposed by reporting from CalMatters. "This will ensure potentially dangerous drivers will continue to be held civilly accountable through the DMV for behavior that endangers Californians," Assemblymember Wilson said during his presentation.

Jonathan Feldman, representing the California Police Chiefs Association, urged lawmakers to close what he called processing and reporting loopholes. "Driving points on your record are a critical civil tool to make sure that we're addressing dangerous driving behavior," Feldman said. Justin Flanslaw of the Safe California Roads Coalition likewise told the committee the bill is a reasonable way to preserve civil accountability alongside diversion programs.

Supporters cited reporting that investigators identified cases in which convictions or relevant incidents were not reflected on driving records because courts did not report to the DMV; they argued points are an administrative civil tool distinct from criminal history and can trigger insurance or license consequences that improve public safety.

Chair called for a motion; the committee voted to pass AB 16 62 to the Transportation Committee.

The committee recorded the motion, and the bill was reported out to the next committee for consideration.