New Bill, AB 2570, Raises Elderly Parole Age from 50 to 65.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) and Assemblyman Hoover (R-Folsom) have introduced legislation to stop the early release of serial child molesters under California’s Elderly Parole Program.
The move comes as Governor Gavin Newsom’s parole board has been on a 2026 spree of granting early release to serial child molesters under the state’s “elderly parole” law.
“I am disgusted that the Parole Board has granted early release to another serial child molester. We need to reform our Elderly Parole Program and evict everyone on the Parole Board that supported another shameful release,” stated Assemblyman Hoover. “I am pleased to join Assemblyman Lackey to increase the age for Elderly Parole from 50 to 65 to ensure that these monsters stay behind bars where they belong.”
“Fifty years old is not elderly. Not even close,” said Assemblymember Lackey. “Just because someone turns 50 does not mean they are rehabilitated! We’re talking about releasing people who committed the worst crimes imaginable. That is unacceptable. 50 years old cannot be the reason we let violent predators out of prison.”
Gregory Vogelsang, who molested more than five children in Citrus Heights, was recently granted elderly parole. Vogelsang was originally sentenced to more than 300 years in prison.
David Allen Funston, another convicted child molester, was also granted early release despite admitting he still experiences pedophilic urges.
Both offenders were granted release under a law signed by Governor Newsom that lowered the eligibility age for elderly parole to 50 years old.
Lackey and Hoover’s bill AB 2570 would raise the minimum age for Elderly Parole eligibility to 65.
The goal is simple: protect communities, protect victims, and bring back common sense to California’s justice system.
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