SB 679 prohibits law enforcement agencies from obtaining personal data from third parties (like tech companies or data brokers) in exchange for payment without a court warrant. It covers data such as location history, health records, financial details, browsing habits, and biometric information. Exceptions allow access if police have a warrant, face an emergency involving immediate danger, the data is publicly available, or the individual consented. This directly affects how police can legally acquire personal information from private entities.
AB 370 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill directs the Director of State Courts to design these free cards, which victims can fill out with their contact information and details about the inmate or probationer. County courts and victim-witness offices must provide the cards to victims, who can then send completed cards to the relevant court to receive updates. The bill also protects victims' mailing addresses in court records from public inspection under state law.
AB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.
AB 576 limits most uses of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), allowing them only for parking enforcement, secured private areas with restricted access, or weigh stations. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing ALPR or private security camera data, with exceptions only during emergencies involving immediate danger. The bill also restricts data retention to 90 days and imposes fines up to $10,000 for violations of these rules.
SB 153 expands a grant program for counties and tribes to create treatment and diversion programs for individuals with substance use disorders or mental illness who are charged with or convicted of crimes related to these conditions. The bill requires programs to use evidence-based practices, integrate mental health services, include case management, and collaborate with courts, prosecutors, and treatment providers. It also modifies sentencing rules to exempt participants in approved programs from losing good time in jail. This bill directly affects individuals facing charges related to substance use or mental health, as well as local governments and service providers.
SB 432 requires certain professionals, including social workers and agency employees who interact directly with children or handle child welfare cases, to report suspected or threatened child abuse to law enforcement. It mandates that county departments, the state department, and licensed child welfare agencies refer most abuse cases to police within 12 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) and adopt written policies for reporting specific types of abuse or neglect defined in state law. The bill adds a new reporting category for child welfare employees and clarifies when written policies must be created for certain abuse cases. This changes existing procedures by expanding who must report and requiring standardized policies for specific scenarios.
SB 110 creates a new state program under the Medical Assistance program to coordinate behavioral health services for youth under 21 with complex needs. It requires collaboration between health, children’s services, education, and county agencies to provide specific services like mobile crisis response, home-based treatment, and residential care, with the goal of keeping families supported in communities and avoiding institutional care. The state can develop rules for the program and must secure federal approval to fund these services. This directly affects young people under 21 and their families seeking these coordinated behavioral health supports.
AB 422 extends the time limit for prosecuting crimes involving hidden bodies. It allows prosecutors to file charges within the standard statute of limitations period or within 6 years after the corpse is discovered or identified, whichever date is later. This directly affects homicide cases where bodies are concealed and discovered years after the crime, giving prosecutors additional time to pursue charges. The bill creates a new provision in state law that applies to cases where the original time limit had not expired when the law took effect.
AB 575 prohibits all state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using facial recognition technology or its data, except to identify their own employees for employment-related purposes. The bill defines facial recognition technology as an automated system that compares camera footage of faces against databases to find matches. It directly affects government entities that currently use or plan to use this technology for public services, law enforcement, or other operations. The law creates a clear ban on its use for public identification, with only the narrow exception for internal employee verification.
SB 224 (2026 Legislature) improves communication rights for sexual assault victims who provide forensic evidence kits. The bill requires law enforcement to test kits within a specified timeline and provide victims with clear information about kit status, DNA testing results, and destruction dates upon request. It also mandates that victims be notified of any changes to their case status, including if it's closed or reopened. These provisions directly affect sexual assault victims who submit kits during forensic examinations, ensuring they receive timely updates about their case. The bill focuses on transparency and victim notification without altering legal penalties or funding.
