Controlled substances: narcotics registry.

Existing law requires a person who is convicted in this state, or in another state under certain circumstances, of specified offenses involving controlled substances to register with the chief of police of the city in which the person resides, or the sheriff of the county if that person resides in an unincorporated area, as specified. Existing law makes registration consist of a statement in writing signed by the person, giving information required by the Department of Justice, and the fingerprints and photograph of the person. Existing law requires, within 3 days after registering, the law enforcement agency to forward the statement, fingerprints, and photograph to the Department of Justice. A person who knowingly violates the registration requirement and related requirements is guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would delete that registration requirement and make conforming changes. The bill would prohibit the statements, photographs, and fingerprints obtained pursuant to these requirements as they read on January 1, 2019, from being inspected by the public or by any person other than a regularly employed peace or other law enforcement officer. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.