Jay-Z & Meek Mill’s REFORM Alliance Announces Transformative California Probation Law

On the announcement, Jay-Z shared, “This is a first step that I hope introduces a wave of much needed change throughout the country.”

REFORM Alliance, the criminal justice organization co-founded by Jay-Z and Meek Mill is currently celebrating its first significant legislative victory.

On Wednesday, the group announced California’s governor Gavin Newsom signed into Assembly Bill 1950 into law. The bill was heavily influenced by Jay-Z, Meek Mill and also Rick Rubin to be pushed through the legislature. Additionally, its primary sponsor Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove played a significant role in the bill’s journey.

The bill takes a shot at adult recidivism in California. It will limit adult probation sentence maximums to one year for misdemeanors and from five years to two years for felonies. 

“By signing AB 1950 into law, Governor Newsom has further cemented his legacy as a champion for justice, redemption, and opportunity,” said REFORM Alliance CEO Van Jones in a statement. “In a year that has been so challenging and difficult for so many, this reform marks a bright spot that will lead to better outcomes for individuals and families across California. I cannot thank the Governor enough for supporting this legislation.”

On Twitter, the organization shared, “This bill will help put hundreds of thousands of Californians on probation in positions to succeed and exit the criminal justice system for good.” Newsom also signed a few other major police and criminal justice reforms on Wednesday, reports Billboard. Among them, he signed a ban on police using carotid restraint chokeholds during arrests and a more clean-cut process for the attorney general to investigate officer-involved shootings of unarmed individuals.

“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.”