All Roll Calls
Yes: 183 • No: 4
CaliforniaAB 11782025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Peace officers: confidentiality of records.
Sponsored By: Blanca Pacheco (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
More officer misconduct records are public
The law makes many peace and custodial officer records public. Agencies must release records on shootings at a person and force that causes death or great bodily injury. They must also release records for sustained findings of excessive force or failure to intervene, sexual assault, dishonesty tied to crime or misconduct cases, unlawful arrest or search, and discrimination. It also covers records tied to agreements that state law prohibits.
Public can see full case files
For covered incidents, agencies must release full investigative files. This includes reports, photos, audio and video, interview transcripts, autopsy reports, materials given to prosecutors or decisionmakers, findings, and discipline letters. Records are still disclosed even if an officer quit before the investigation ended.
Agencies may disclose firings for cause
An agency may, on its own, announce that a former officer was terminated for cause in a disclosable incident. The agency must still keep any barred details confidential. The law says this practice matches existing law.
How legal privileges apply to records
Attorney‑client privilege does not block release of factual information an agency gave its lawyer or found in an investigation. Billing records can be released if they are not for active, ongoing litigation and do not reveal legal advice. This law does not change Pitchess discovery or criminal discovery rules; those existing processes still apply.
Only pay direct copy costs
Agencies can charge you only the direct cost to copy records. They cannot bill for time spent searching, reviewing, editing, or redacting. Fees follow California’s public records rules on duplication costs.
Share deidentified complaint statistics
Agencies may publish counts, types, and outcomes of complaints, such as sustained or unfounded, in a form that does not identify people. This helps communities see trends without exposing private identities.
Limits on releasing some records
Agencies do not release complaint records that are legally frivolous or unfounded. They also do not release files from unrelated, earlier investigations unless those files are independently disclosable. In multi‑officer incidents, allegations and dispositions about a specific officer stay private unless there is a sustained, disclosable finding for that officer. However, factual actions or statements are released when they matter to a sustained, disclosable finding about another officer.
Correct false public claims by officers
If an officer or their agent knowingly makes a false public statement about discipline and it is published by TV, radio, or a newspaper, the agency may release facts from the officer’s file that directly refute it. The disclosure is limited to facts that rebut the false claim. This helps correct the record while limiting what is revealed.
Deadlines and delays for record releases
Agencies must provide disclosable records as soon as possible and no later than 45 days, unless a permitted delay applies. During a criminal probe, agencies may delay up to 60 days or until the district attorney decides on charges, then must give written reasons every 180 days, with an 18‑month cap unless extraordinary reasons are proven. If charges are filed, disclosure may wait until verdict or the plea‑withdrawal window ends. During an administrative probe, disclosure may be delayed up to 180 days after the agency discovers the incident. Records from incidents before January 1, 2022 were not subject to the usual time limits until January 1, 2023. Some sections become operative only if this law and AB 847 and/or AB 1388 were also enacted by January 1, 2026.
Privacy rules and allowed redactions
Agencies may remove personal details like home addresses, phone numbers, and family identities. They may protect the anonymity of whistleblowers, complainants, victims, and witnesses, and hide confidential medical or financial data or items barred by federal law. Redaction is also allowed when there is a specific, articulable safety risk; courts consider undercover roles. Agencies may also redact when, in a specific case, the public interest in secrecy clearly outweighs the interest in disclosure.
Complainants get copies and updates
When you file a complaint, the agency must give you a copy of your own statement at that time. After a disposition, the agency must send you written notice within 30 days. This notice is informational and not binding or admissible as evidence.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Blanca Pacheco
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Juan Alanis
Republican • House
Blanca Blanca Rubio
Democratic • House
Michelle Michelle Rodriguez
Democratic • House
Stephanie Nguyen
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/13/2025
Item 1000 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/12/2025
Item 61 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 29 • No: 2
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/30/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/10/2025
Vote in CS72
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 5/8/2025
Item 109 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 60 • No: 2
legislature vote • 4/22/2025
Vote in CX18
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 635, Statutes of 2025.
10/11/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/11/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/24/2025legislatureAssembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3477.)
9/13/2025HouseJoint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)
9/13/2025HouseSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 67. Noes 0. Page 3481.).
9/13/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/13/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 2. Page 3005.).
9/12/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/10/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/9/2025SenateJoint Rule 61(a)(13) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)
9/9/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/8/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/5/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
6/30/2025SenateIn committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
6/18/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/11/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 10).
6/10/2025SenateReferred to Coms. on PUB. S. and APPR.
5/21/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
5/8/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 2. Page 1483.)
5/8/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/5/2025HouseOrdered to second reading.
5/1/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/11/2025
Enrolled
9/16/2025
Amended Senate
9/9/2025
Amended Senate
9/5/2025
Amended Senate
8/29/2025
Amended Senate
6/11/2025
Amended Assembly
4/28/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025