Nearly 800 laws were passed in California last year, and most of them went into effect at the beginning of this month. They cover topics as wide-ranging as banning plastic bags and cat declawing, raising the minimum wage, adding folic acid to corn tortillas, requiring stoves and refrigerators in rental units, and lowering the price of insulin. Given that it’s the duty of peace officers to enforce the law, of course many of these could theoretically have bearing on our work in some way — but there are several new measures directly impacting our profession and the criminal justice system that LAAPOA members should be especially aware of.

Law Enforcement Facial Coverings

SB 627, the “No Secret Police Act,” prohibits federal and local law enforcement officers from wearing face masks while conducting their duties and requires California law enforcement agencies to publicly post a written policy limiting the use of facial coverings by July 1. Officers could face civil penalties for false arrest or imprisonment if they are wearing a face covering. This misguided, misdirected and deeply flawed measure was vehemently opposed by our statewide partners at PORAC, who pointed out that it unfairly targeted local law enforcement for actions tied to federal immigration enforcement, stripping longstanding immunity protections and making our officers into pawns in the larger tug-of-war between the state and federal governments. In November, the Trump administration sued to block the law in court, and state officials say enforcement has been paused pending a judge’s decision on the administration’s request for a preliminary injunction while the court proceedings play out. If the law goes forward, PORAC will be introducing legislation this year to amend deceptive language in SB 627, and the governor has personally directed the Legislature to address these concerns.

Officer Identification

SB 805, the “No Vigilantes Act,” requires non-uniformed law enforcement officers operating in California to display visible identification, including their agency and either a name or badge number, while performing their enforcement duties. It also makes violating these provisions a misdemeanor. PORAC supported this measure due to its strengthening of penalties for impersonating law enforcement, which helps preserve confidence and trust in public safety. SB 805 is also included in the Trump administration lawsuit’s against SB 627, and the state has paused enforcement for now.

Workers’ Comp

As we covered earlier this month, a number of workers’ compensation reforms affecting public safety employees took effect on January 1, affecting how claims are alleged, defended, documented and resolved. Notable among them was SB 487, actively supported by PORAC, which closes the gap between state and federal law by extending health benefits for minor dependents of public safety personnel who die in the line of duty.

AI Disclosure

SB 524 makes California the first state to require law enforcement agencies to publicly disclose when AI tools are used to draft official police reports. In addition to mandating that reports produced using AI tools like Axon’s Draft One include a written disclosure on every page, it requires departments to preserve audit trails, including original AI-generated drafts and the source for body-camera footage or audio that informed them. This law was opposed by PORAC due to concerns about the administrative burden it places on agencies, but the association was able to advocate for amendments that narrowed its scope.

Untested Rape Kits

SB 464 requires all law enforcement agencies, medical facilities and public crime laboratories to conduct an audit by July 1 of all untested sexual assault evidence kits in their possession.

Court Leave for Crime Victims

AB 406 expands protections for employees who are victims of certain crimes — including domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking — or who have family members who are victims, entitling them to use sick leave to participate in a broader range of court proceedings, such as meeting with law enforcement or prosecutors, seeking or renewing restraining orders, accessing services from domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers, and participating in safety planning. Employers with 25 or more employees cannot discharge or discriminate against employees who take time off for these purposes, and must provide reasonable accommodations for employee safety.

Family Member Interrogations

AB 572 creates new standards for law enforcement agencies regarding interactions with family members of people killed or seriously injured by officers, requiring police to first inform family members of their loved one’s medical condition, then tell them of their right to have an advocate present before a formal interview can take place. Agencies have until 2027 to create policies that fulfill the new law, which is intended to create transparency and deter coercion. PORAC opposed the bill, but was able to advocate for amendments to address some of its concerns about impeding critical and urgent investigations and the complicated legal consequences of giving family members a Miranda-like statement of rights when they are not criminal suspects.

Threats of Violence

SB 19 criminalizes threats of mass violence against workplaces, schools, houses of worship and medical facilities. Previously, existing law had limited enforcement to threats made against specific individuals, leaving institutions vulnerable to the disruption and fear caused by these threats. It is not required that offenders have a specific intent of carrying out their threat to commit a crime that will result in death or great bodily injury — only that it causes people at the threatened location to reasonably fear for the safety of themselves or others.

Sex Trafficking

AB 379 strengthens efforts against sex trafficking by targeting buyers, including making it a felony for adults to solicit commercial sex from anyone under 18 (previously a misdemeanor). It also makes it a misdemeanor crime to loiter to solicit prostitution. Fines collected under the new law will go to a newly created fund to support sex trafficking victims.

Auto Theft

AB 486 makes it a misdemeanor to possess a key programming device, a key duplicating device or a signal extender with intent to commit a burglary.

On the Horizon

More new laws are set to go into effect on July 1, including AB 1777, which allows law enforcement agencies to cite autonomous vehicle manufacturers for traffic violations committed by self-driving cars. All AVs will also be required to have a two-way device on board to communicate with first responders if necessary.

As always, we encourage LAAPOA members to stay informed on the latest developments in the legal landscape, as well as to engage in PORAC’s advocacy efforts in Sacramento to support new laws that will enhance public safety and block or amend initiatives that could be detrimental to law enforcement.