Bills to Watch

CA SB 1544: Criminal Investigation: Eyewitness Identification Sep 30, 2006
This bill requires law enforcement to adopt policies and procedures to improve the eyewitness identification process in order to increase the accuracy and reliability of eyewitness evidence and decrease the likelihood of wrongful identifications. The bill, authored by Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by the ACLU, cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee and is now pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which will vote on it in August.
ACLU-NC Position: Support/Co-sponsor
Status: Vetoed by Governor


CA SB 171: Interrogation: Recording Sep 30, 2006
A holdover from last year, this bill requires the electronic recording of interrogations of persons accused of violent felonies when in police custody. The legislation, sponsored by the ACLU and authored by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose), will help decrease the likelihood of false confession, thereby protecting the innocent while providing the best evidence against the guilty. Because of fiscal concerns, the bill has been held since last year in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, but the ACLU will push for this bill to move to the floor for a vote in August.
ACLU-NC Position: Support/Sponsor
Status: Vetoed by Governor


CA SB 1745: Employment Discrimination: Victims of Violence Sep 30, 2006
With the passage of this bill by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, the ACLU continues to advocate for protection against employment discrimination for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The bill, also introduced by Senator Kuehl, now moves on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August before it can reach the floor.
ACLU-NC Position: Support
Status: Vetoed by Governor


CA SB 768: Identity Information Protection Act of 2006 Sep 30, 2006
This bill would establish interim standards for the use of RFID technology in government issued identity documents until the Legislature adopts permanent standards based on an anticipated study by and recommendations from the California Research Bureau. That bill, one of the ACLU’s holdovers from last year, is also expected to move in the Assembly in August.
ACLU-NC Position: Support
Status: Vetoed by Governor


CA SB 1471: "California Community Sexual Health Education Act" Sep 29, 2006
This bill was introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) and co-sponsored by the ACLU. Specifically, it requires state-funded sex education programs on preventing teen and unintended pregnancies or STD’s to be medically accurate, bias-free, and age appropriate. The bill also requires that instructors be appropriately trained, that programs do not teach or promote religious doctrine, and that programs are culturally and linguistically appropriate. SB 1471 now must clear the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August before it can move to the Assembly floor.
ACLU-NC Position: Support/Co-sponsor
Status: Vetoed by Governor