State Senator - District 18
Julia Salazar
Has represented Senate District 18 since Jan. 1, 2019, after defeating incumbent Martin Malave Dilan in the 2018 Democratic primary.
Criminal justice, prisons and courts
In coverageSponsored a 2024 law waiving court costs and fees for people who cannot afford them and a bill barring restraints on incarcerated people during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances and with certain exceptions permitting wrist restraints, which passed both houses in June 2026. Voted against a 2023 bill on the offenses of rape in the first, second and third degrees, which passed the Senate 58-4 and became law; a 2024 bill allowing evidence of a defendant's prior sexual offense in a sexual offense proceeding, which passed the Senate 55-4; and a 2026 bill allowing body scanners in certain state children's services facilities, which passed the Senate 53-1 and became law.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Her Senate biography lists her as the lead sponsor of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act in 2021. Sponsored S9452, waiving certain court costs, fees and expenses for people of insufficient means; voted yes on June 5, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 589 on Dec. 13, 2024. Sponsored S2667, prohibiting restraints on incarcerated people during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant people during custodial interrogation, with certain exceptions permitting wrist restraints; voted yes on June 1, 2026, and it passed the Senate that day and the Assembly on June 5, 2026. Sponsored S4583, on the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant people and birthing parents; voted yes on June 1, 2026, when it passed the Senate, and it was referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Sponsored S8185, barring entities from negotiating settlements that release them from liability within 30 days of a possibly tortious act; voted yes on June 11, 2025; it passed the Assembly on June 17, 2025, and was vetoed by the governor on Dec. 19, 2025. Voted no on A3340, on the offenses of rape in the first, second and third degrees, on June 6, 2023; it passed the Senate 58-4 that day and was signed into law as Chapter 777 on Jan. 30, 2024. Voted no on S9276, allowing evidence of a defendant's prior sexual offense in a sexual offense proceeding, on May 22, 2024; it passed the Senate 55-4 that day and was referred to the Assembly Codes Committee. Voted no on A9333, authorizing body scanners in certain Office of Children and Family Services facilities, on April 7, 2026; it passed the Senate 53-1 and was signed into law as Chapter 121 on June 5, 2026.
Lead sponsor of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (per her Senate biography); sponsor of S9452, S2667, S4583 and S8185, voting yes on each; voted no on A3340, S9276 and A9333 · 2021 to 2026-06-01 · S9452 signed into law as Chapter 589 on Dec. 13, 2024; S2667 passed the Senate June 1 and the Assembly June 5, 2026; S4583 passed the Senate June 1, 2026, and is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee; S8185 passed both houses and was vetoed Dec. 19, 2025; A3340 passed the Senate 58-4 and was signed into law as Chapter 777 on Jan. 30, 2024; S9276 passed the Senate 55-4 on May 22, 2024, and was referred to the Assembly Codes Committee; A9333 passed the Senate 53-1 and was signed into law as Chapter 121 on June 5, 2026
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