Justice & Public Safety Bills

Makes technical changes to provisions regarding criminal record dismissal for incarcerated fire crew members.

Makes technical changes to existing looting laws without substantive modifications to current provisions.

Expands criminal penalties to protect judges and court officials from protests at their homes and workplaces. Makes it a misdemeanor to picket near residences of judges, jurors, witnesses, or court officers. Aims to prevent interference with justice system by prohibiting protests meant to influence court personnel.

Requires the state to mail firearm safety and legal information to new gun owners starting July 2027. Mandates inclusion of secure storage laws and suicide prevention resources in information packets. Uses existing firearms dealer fees to fund the new notification program.

Expands California's extortion law to include threats involving AI-generated images and videos. Makes threatening to create or distribute AI-generated content a criminal offense under extortion laws. Requires local law enforcement to enforce the new AI-related extortion provisions without state funding.

Expands peace officer status to deputy sheriffs in Amador and Nevada counties who work in custodial facilities. Limits these officers' statewide authority to custodial duties and local emergency situations. Aligns authority of custodial deputy sheriffs across California counties for consistent enforcement.

Establishes stricter penalties for looting during emergencies by making it a mandatory felony offense. Adds a two-year prison enhancement for impersonating first responders while committing looting. Requires minimum 90-180 day jail terms for looting convictions if probation is granted. Authorizes courts to mandate up to 240 hours of community service for looting offenders.

Expands California law enforcement authority to investigate sex trafficking cases involving immigration status. Requires law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports on joint task force activities to the state. Maintains core restrictions on police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Makes technical changes to existing indemnification liability provisions.

Establishes felony penalties for adults who repeatedly make false emergency reports. Requires offenders to pay for emergency response costs and property damage caused by false reports. Exempts parents who report missing children in good faith from emergency reporting penalties.

Expands courts' authority to reclassify felonies as misdemeanors at any time during legal proceedings. Maintains sex offender registration requirements even when offenses are reduced to misdemeanors. Prevents unpaid restitution from blocking requests to reduce offense classifications.

Expands stalking laws to protect pets, service animals, and emotional support animals from credible threats. Imposes penalties of up to one year in jail and $1,000 fine for stalking violations. Requires mandatory counseling for offenders placed on probation. Allows courts to issue restraining orders valid for up to 10 years against stalking offenders.

Establishes new prison sentence enhancements for arson that burns 500 or more acres of forest land. Adds 3-5 years to prison terms for convicted arsonists who destroy large forest areas. Requires prosecutors to specifically charge and prove the 500-acre damage threshold in court.

Makes operating drones during fire emergencies a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Imposes fines up to $10,000 for drone interference with emergency responders during fires. Applies to all drone operators regardless of their physical location from the emergency scene.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to install 125 automated speed cameras in highway work zones through 2032. Establishes fines ranging from $50 to $500 for speeding violations captured by work zone cameras. Requires warning signs and a 60-day warning period before issuing citations at new camera locations. Creates payment plans and fine reductions up to 80% for low-income violators.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to regulate weaponized robotic devices.

Expands the definition of violent felonies to include felony domestic violence under California's three strikes law. Requires enhanced prison sentences for repeat offenders convicted of domestic violence. Establishes new sentencing guidelines effective January 1, 2026.

Makes technical changes to state fingerprint identification system requirements.

Requires courts to issue temporary protective orders when domestic violence offenders are released from prison. Limits post-release protective orders to 180 days to shield victims from contact with former offenders. Allows courts to mandate electronic monitoring of offenders who violate protective orders.

Increases penalties for looting during emergencies by making it a felony offense. Requires minimum 180-day jail sentence for looting unless judges find special circumstances. Adds two years to prison terms for impersonating first responders during looting. Mandates up to 240 hours of community service for rebuilding after emergency looting.

Makes permanent the SoCal Edison-funded firefighting helicopter program for rapid wildfire response. Transfers management of the Quick Reaction Force program to the Office of Emergency Services. Serves fifteen Southern California counties with specialized firefighting helicopters. Continues existing funding from Southern California Edison without new state costs.

Establishes California's first pilot program for autonomous firefighting helicopters to combat wildfires. Requires the Office of Emergency Services to test and integrate unmanned aircraft for firefighting operations. Enables nighttime and hazardous condition firefighting operations through autonomous aircraft deployment. Expands emergency response capabilities by allowing remote positioning of unmanned firefighting aircraft.

Makes technical updates to clarify how the Supreme Court and courts of appeal handle judgments and orders on appeal. Requires courts to address all relevant legal questions when granting a new trial. Maintains existing court powers to affirm, reverse, or modify judgments and direct new proceedings.

Establishes a new state disaster assistance program providing direct financial aid to California residents, local agencies, and community organizations for disasters that may not qualify for federal help. Requires affected areas to declare a local emergency within 10 days of a disaster and submit grant applications within 60 days to receive funding. Covers essential needs including housing repairs, medical expenses, personal property replacement, and income losses not covered by insurance. Takes effect immediately as an urgency measure to help communities recover from recent disasters.

Makes permanent the requirement for parties in civil lawsuits to provide detailed initial disclosures about witnesses, documents, and insurance policies within 60 days of a demand. Requires parties to share contact information for potential witnesses and copies of relevant documents even before formal discovery requests. Allows parties to request updated information through supplemental demands twice before trial and once after trial date is set. Exempts small claims cases, unlawful detainer actions, family law matters, and parties without legal representation from these disclosure requirements.