SACRAMENTO, June 9, 2025 — A bill that would give a second chance to certain individuals convicted of murder before the age of 26 is drawing sharp criticism from California Republicans, who accuse Democrats of exploiting social media attention surrounding the infamous Menendez brothers case to push forward what they call a dangerous public safety gamble.
Senate Bill 672, known as the Youth Rehabilitation and Opportunity Act, passed the California State Senate last Tuesday with a 24-11 vote, igniting a wave of backlash from GOP leaders and law enforcement officials. The bill would allow individuals sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed before the age of 26 to request a parole hearing after serving 25 years — including high-profile cases like that of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989.
A Politically Charged Moment
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) issued a strongly worded statement to Fox News Digital, calling the bill “a shameless attempt to ride a wave of social media sympathy” generated by renewed attention to the Menendez case.
“California Democrats just opened the prison gates for over 1,600 cold-blooded killers,” Jones said. “They don’t care about the victim or their family. They don’t care about keeping the public safe. They care about defending killers.”
Jones also criticized the timing of the bill’s reemergence. “As soon as the Menendez brothers’ situation started trending, all of a sudden this bill comes up again,” he noted. “It’s a cynical effort to get caught up in that wave of media attention… We’re opposed to this bill.”
What’s in SB 672?
Introduced by Democratic State Senator Susan Rubio, SB 672 is part of a growing national movement toward juvenile and young adult sentencing reform. It reflects research from the American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Justice showing that cognitive development — particularly decision-making and impulse control — continues into the mid-20s.
The bill was amended to explicitly exclude certain violent offenders from parole consideration, including individuals convicted of murdering law enforcement officers or carrying out mass shootings. Still, critics say the scope of the bill remains too wide.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican and 2026 gubernatorial candidate, added his voice to the opposition: “Sacramento’s love affair with criminals doesn’t seem to be letting up, even after 70% of Californians made it clear they wanted lawmakers to crack down on crime,” he said in a public statement.
Public Safety vs. Rehabilitation
Supporters of the bill argue that SB 672 does not guarantee release — only the opportunity for parole review after a quarter-century behind bars. They emphasize that parole boards will still have the authority to deny release based on the risk to public safety.
“SB 672 isn’t about excusing violence; it’s about recognizing the science of brain development and the potential for growth,” said Senator Rubio during floor debate. “It gives people who committed crimes in their youth the chance to demonstrate who they’ve become.”
But Jones disagrees, particularly in the context of the Menendez case. “It’s pretty straightforward to me. These people were convicted of very heinous murders with a sentence of life without parole,” he said. “To go back on that now — it re-victimizes the families of the murdered. It’s unconscionable.”
He further accused Democratic lawmakers of trying to draw Hollywood support to boost the bill’s visibility: “They think they’re gonna get some Hollywood stars to come up to Sacramento and testify. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
What Comes Next?
The bill now heads to the State Assembly, where it will face further scrutiny and debate. If passed there, it would move to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval — a decision likely to reignite the political firestorm over criminal justice reform in California.
Do you believe in second chances for youthful offenders, or should life without parole remain permanent for serious crimes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
