AB 442: State summary criminal history information.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2023-08-14
Current Status:
Failed
(2023-09-01: In committee: Held under submission.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill lets the California Department of Justice provide state criminal history records — the master file of a person’s arrests, charges, convictions, and related data — to public defenders and to attorneys at qualifying legal services projects or nonprofits when those lawyers are consulting with or representing a prospective or current client. The subject of the records must give informed written consent before the information is released.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain state summary criminal history information, as defined, and to furnish this information to various state and local government officers, officials, and other prescribed entities, if needed in the course of their duties, including public defenders or attorneys of record when representing a person in criminal appeals and postconviction motions. Existing law makes it a crime for a person authorized by law to receive state summary criminal history information to knowingly furnish that information to a person who is not authorized to receive it.
This bill would additionally authorize the department to provide a state summary criminal history information to a public defender or an attorney with a qualified legal services project or nonprofit, if the information is requested in the course of consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished. The bill would also update a cross-reference to these provisions. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain state summary criminal history information, as defined, and to furnish this information to various state and local government officers, officials, and other prescribed entities, if needed in the course of their duties, including public defenders or attorneys of record when representing a person in criminal appeals and postconviction motions. Existing law makes it a crime for a person authorized by law to receive state summary criminal history information to knowingly furnish that information to a person who is not authorized to receive it.
This bill would additionally authorize the department to provide a state summary criminal history information to a public defender or attorney, defender or an attorney with a qualified legal services project or nonprofit, if the information is requested in the course of consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client, client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information. information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished. The bill would also update a cross-reference to these provisions. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain state summary criminal history information, as defined, and to furnish this information to various state and local government officers, officials, and other prescribed entities, if needed in the course of their duties, including public defenders or attorneys of record when representing a person in criminal appeals and postconviction motions. Existing law makes it a crime for a person authorized by law to receive state summary criminal history information to knowingly furnish that information to a person who is not authorized to receive it.
This bill would additionally authorize the department to provide a state summary criminal history information to a public defender or attorney, in the course of consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client, who is the subject of state summary criminal history information. The bill would also update a cross-reference to these provisions. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(a)(1)The Department of Justice shall maintain state summary criminal history information.
(2)As used in this section:
(A)State summary criminal history information means the master record of information compiled by the Attorney General pertaining to the identification and criminal history of a person, such as name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, dates of arrests, arresting agencies and booking numbers, charges, dispositions, sentencing information, and similar data about the person.
(B)State summary criminal history information does not refer to records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies other than the Attorney General, nor does it refer to records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence information or security procedures of, the office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
(b)The Attorney General shall furnish state summary criminal history information to the following, if needed in the course of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity, in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)The courts of the state.
(2)Peace officers of the state, as defined in Section 830.1, subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 830.2, subdivision (a) of Section 830.3, subdivision (a) of Section 830.31, and subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.5.
(3)District attorneys of the state.
(4)Prosecuting city attorneys or city prosecutors of a city within the state.
(5)City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions pursuant to Section 186.22a, 186.22a or drug abatement actions pursuant to Section 3479 or 3480 of the Civil Code, Code or Section 11571 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6)Probation officers of the state.
(7)Parole officers of the state.
(8)(A)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon pursuant to Section 4852.08.
(9)(B)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, including all appeals and postconviction motions, or a parole, mandatory supervision pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation extension proceeding, if the information is requested in the course of representation.
(9)A public defender, an attorney whose practice is qualified to receive funding under Section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, or an attorney providing legal services at an organization that is organized pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the information is requested in the course of a consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished.
(10)An agency, officer, or official of the state if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The agency, officer, or official of the state authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information may perform state and federal criminal history information checks as provided for in subdivision (u). The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the agency, officer, or official pursuant to subdivision (p).
(11)A city, county, city and county, or district, or an officer or official thereof, if access is needed in order to assist that agency, officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, and if the access is specifically authorized by the city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city, county, or district if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, ordinance, or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The city, county, city and county, district, or the officer or official thereof authorized by this paragraph may also transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(12)The subject of the state summary criminal history information under procedures established under Article 5 (commencing with Section 11120).
(13)A person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct.
(14)Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district when in the performance of their official duties enforcing Section 120175 of the Health and Safety Code.
(15)A managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility.
(16)A humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, for the specific purpose of complying with Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the appointment of humane officers.
(17)Local child support agencies established by Section 17304 of the Family Code. When a local child support agency closes a support enforcement case containing state summary criminal history information, the agency shall delete or purge from the file and destroy documents or information concerning or arising from offenses for or of which the parent has been arrested, charged, or convicted, other than for offenses related to the parents having failed to provide support for minor children, consistent with the requirements of Section 17531 of the Family Code.
(18)County child welfare agency personnel who have been delegated the authority of county probation officers to access state summary criminal history information pursuant to Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Information from criminal history records provided pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used for a purpose other than those specified in this section and Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. When an agency obtains records both on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check.
(19)The court of a tribe, or court of a consortium of tribes, that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. This information may be used only for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to officers, members, and employees of a tribal court receiving state summary criminal history information pursuant to this section.
(20)Child welfare agency personnel of a tribe or consortium of tribes that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to whom the state has delegated duties under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The purposes for use of the information shall be for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. When an agency obtains records on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to child welfare agency personnel receiving criminal record offender information pursuant to this section.
(21)An officer providing conservatorship investigations pursuant to Sections 5351, 5354, and 5356 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(22)A court investigator providing investigations or reviews in conservatorships pursuant to Section 1826, 1850, 1851, or 2250.6 of the Probate Code.
(23)A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation pursuant to Section 1513 of the Probate Code.
(24)A humane officer pursuant to Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the purposes of performing the officers duties.
(25)A public agency described in subdivision (b) of Section 15975 of the Government Code, for the purpose of oversight and enforcement policies with respect to its contracted providers.
(26)(A)A state entity, or its designee, that receives federal tax information. A state entity or its designee that is authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information also may transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of the state entity or its designee obtaining federal-level criminal offender record information from the Department of Justice. This information shall be used only for the purposes set forth in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, federal tax information, state entity entity, and designee are as defined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, of subdivision (f) of Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(27)The director of the State Department of State Hospitals, or their designee, for use related to research and evaluation studies described in Section 4046 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and subject to the limitations described in that section.
(c)The Attorney General may furnish state summary criminal history information and, when specifically authorized by this subdivision, federal-level criminal history information upon a showing of a compelling need to any of the following, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, that operates a nuclear energy facility when access is needed in order to assist in employing persons to work at the facility, provided that, if the Attorney General supplies the data, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the person to whom the data relates.
(2)A peace officer of the state other than those included in subdivision (b).
(3)An illegal dumping enforcement officer as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 830.7.
(4)A peace officer of another country.
(5)Public officers, other than peace officers, of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States, provided that access to records similar to state summary criminal history information is expressly authorized by a statute of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States if the information is needed for the performance of their official duties.
(6)A person when disclosure is requested by a probation, parole, or peace officer with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history information and for purposes of furthering the rehabilitation of the subject.
(7)The courts of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(8)Peace officers of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(9)An individual who is the subject of the record requested if needed in conjunction with an application to enter the United States or a foreign nation.
(10)(A)(i)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, or a cable corporation as defined in subparagraph (B), if receipt of criminal history information is needed in order to assist in employing current or prospective employees, contract employees, or subcontract employees who, in the course of their employment, may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds. The information provided shall be limited to the record of convictions and arrests for which the person is released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(ii)If the Attorney General supplies the data pursuant to this paragraph, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the current or prospective employee to whom the data relates.
(iii)State summary criminal history information is confidential and the receiving public utility or cable corporation shall not disclose its contents, other than for the purpose for which it was acquired. The state summary criminal history information in the possession of the public utility or cable corporation and all copies made from it shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after employment or promotion or transfer is denied or granted, except for those cases where a current or prospective employee is out on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial, in which case the state summary criminal history information and all copies shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after the case is resolved.
(iv)A violation of this paragraph is a misdemeanor, and shall give the current or prospective employee who is injured by the violation a cause of action against the public utility or cable corporation to recover damages proximately caused by the violations. A public utilitys or cable corporations request for state summary criminal history information for purposes of employing current or prospective employees who may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds in the course of their employment shall be deemed a compelling need as required to be shown in this subdivision.
(v)This section shall not be construed as imposing a duty upon public utilities or cable corporations to request state summary criminal history information on current or prospective employees.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, cable corporation means a corporation or firm that transmits or provides television, computer, or telephone services by cable, digital, fiber optic, satellite, or comparable technology to subscribers for a fee.
(C)Requests for federal-level criminal history information received by the Department of Justice from entities authorized pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the Department of Justice. Federal-level criminal history information received or compiled by the Department of Justice may then be disseminated to the entities referenced in subparagraph (A), as authorized by law.
(11)A campus of the California State University or the University of California, or a four-year college or university accredited by a regional accreditation organization approved by the United States Department of Education, if needed in conjunction with an application for admission by a convicted felon to a special education program for convicted felons, including, but not limited to, university alternatives and halfway houses. Only conviction information shall be furnished. The college or university may require the convicted felon to be fingerprinted, and any inquiry to the department under this section shall include the convicted felons fingerprints and any other information specified by the department.
(12)A foreign government, if requested by the individual who is the subject of the record requested, if needed in conjunction with the individuals application to adopt a minor child who is a citizen of that foreign nation. Requests for information pursuant to this paragraph shall be in accordance with the process described in Sections 11122 to 11124, inclusive. The response shall be provided to the foreign government or its designee and to the individual who requested the information.
(d)Whenever an authorized request for state summary criminal history information pertains to a person whose fingerprints are on file with the Department of Justice and the department has no criminal history of that person, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the fingerprint card accompanying the request for information, if any, may be stamped no criminal record and returned to the person or entity making the request.
(e)Whenever state summary criminal history information is furnished as the result of an application and is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the Department of Justice may charge the person or entity making the request a fee that it determines to be sufficient to reimburse the department for the cost of furnishing the information. In addition, the Department of Justice may add a surcharge to the fee to fund maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained. Notwithstanding any other law, a person or entity required to pay a fee to the department for information received under this section may charge the applicant a fee sufficient to reimburse the person or entity for this expense. All moneys received by the department pursuant to this section, Sections 11105.3 and 26190, and former Section 13588 of the Education Code shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund to be available for expenditure by the department to offset costs incurred pursuant to those sections and for maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(f)Whenever When there is a conflict, the processing of criminal fingerprints and fingerprints of applicants for security guard or alarm agent registrations or firearms qualification permits submitted pursuant to Section 7583.9, 7583.23, 7596.3, or 7598.4 of the Business and Professions Code shall take priority over the processing of other applicant fingerprints.
(g)It is not a violation of this section to disseminate statistical or research information obtained from a record, provided that the identity of the subject of the record is not disclosed.
(h)It is not a violation of this section to include information obtained from a record in (1) a transcript or record of a judicial or administrative proceeding or (2) any other public record if the inclusion of the information in the public record is authorized by a court, statute, or decisional law.
(i)Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice or a state or local law enforcement agency may require the submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting state summary criminal history information checks that are authorized by law.
(j)The state summary criminal history information shall include any finding of mental incompetence pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290.
(k)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization and the information is to be used for peace officer employment or certification purposes. As used in this subdivision, a peace officer is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest or detention, except for an arrest or detention resulting in an exoneration, provided, however, that where the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for the arrest, the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Every successful diversion.
(E)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(F)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(G)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(l)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by a criminal justice agency or organization as defined in Section 13101, and the information is to be used for criminal justice employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition or that did not result in a conviction, provided that the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest. However, information concerning an arrest shall not be disclosed if the records of the Department of Justice indicate or if the genuine effort reveals that the subject was exonerated, successfully completed a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program, or the arrest was deemed a detention, or the subject was granted relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(D)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(E)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(F)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(m)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 1522, 1568.09, 1569.17, or 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of any of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction of an offense rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the State Department of Social Services is required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code to determine if an applicant has been arrested. However, if the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for an arrest, the Department of Justice shall first make a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(3)Notwithstanding the requirements of the sections referenced in paragraph (1) of this subdivision, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information about an arrest subsequently deemed a detention or an arrest that resulted in the successful completion of a diversion program, exoneration, or a grant of relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(n)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information, to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual pursuant to any of the following:
(A)Paragraph (10) of subdivision (c), when the information is to be used by a cable corporation.
(B)Section 11105.3 or 11105.4.
(C)Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(D)A statute that incorporates the criteria of any of the statutory provisions listed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or of this subdivision, by reference.
(2)With the exception of applications submitted by transportation companies authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, and notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49, rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. However, with the exception of those offenses for which registration is required pursuant to Section 290, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information pursuant to this subdivision unless the conviction occurred within 10 years of the date of the agencys request for information or the conviction is over 10 years old but the subject of the request was incarcerated within 10 years of the agencys request for information.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(D)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(o)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 379 or 1300 of the Financial Code, Code or a statute that incorporates the criteria of either of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(p)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an agency, organization, or individual not defined in subdivision (k), (l), (m), (n), or (o), or by a transportation company authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of that section or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, private schools, state special schools for the blind and deaf, or any other entity required to have a background check because of a contract with a school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, or state special school for the blind and deaf, shall receive every conviction rendered against an applicant, retroactive to January 1, 2020, regardless of relief granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or any other law, information for a conviction for a controlled substance offense listed in Section 11350 or 11377, or former Section 11500 or 11500.5, of the Health and Safety Code that is more than five years old, for which relief is granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49, shall not be disseminated.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(q)All agencies, organizations, or individuals defined in subdivisions (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) may contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2. This subdivision shall not supersede sections that mandate an agency, organization, or individual to contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2.
(r)This section does not require the Department of Justice to cease compliance with any other statutory notification requirements.
(s)The provisions of Section 50.12 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are to be followed in processing federal criminal history information.
(t)Whenever When state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual defined in subdivisions (k) to (p), inclusive, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the authorized agency, organization, or individual shall expeditiously furnish a copy of the information to the person to whom the information relates if the information is a basis for an adverse employment, licensing, or certification decision. When furnished other than in person, the copy shall be delivered to the last contact information provided by the applicant.
(u)(1)If a fingerprint-based criminal history information check is required pursuant to any statute, that check shall be requested from the Department of Justice and shall be applicable to the person identified in the referencing statute. The agency or entity identified in the statute shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice of the types of applicants identified in the referencing statute, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and state or federal arrests and also information as to the existence and content of a record of the state or federal arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(2)If requested, the Department of Justice shall transmit fingerprint images and related information received pursuant to this section to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining a federal criminal history information check. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and compile and disseminate a response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute.
(3)The Department of Justice shall provide a state- or federal-level response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute, pursuant to the identified subdivision.
(4)The agency or entity identified in the referencing statute shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2, for persons described in the referencing statute.
(5)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the request described in this subdivision.
SEC. 2.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
All matter omitted in this version of the bill appears in the bill as amended in the Assembly, March 15, 2023. (JR11)(a) The department is hereby designated the single organizational unit whose duty it shall be to administer the Title IV-D state plan for securing child and spousal support, medical support, and determining paternity. State plan functions shall be performed by other agencies as required by law, by delegation of the department, or by cooperative agreements.
(b)The department shall appoint the local child support agency, as defined in Section 17304, or any other entity receiving federal tax information in performance of its child support duties as its designee for purposes of paragraph (27) of subdivision (b) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)For purposes of this section, federal tax information is as defined in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2.Section 11105 of the Penal Code is amended to read:11105.(a)(1)The Department of Justice shall maintain state summary criminal history information.
(2)As used in this section:
(A)State summary criminal history information means the master record of information compiled by the Attorney General pertaining to the identification and criminal history of a person, such as name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, dates of arrests, arresting agencies and booking numbers, charges, dispositions, sentencing information, and similar data about the person.
(B)State summary criminal history information does not refer to records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies other than the Attorney General, nor does it refer to records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence information or security procedures of, the office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
(b)The Attorney General shall furnish state summary criminal history information to the following, if needed in the course of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity, in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)The courts of the state.
(2)Peace officers of the state, as defined in Section 830.1, subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 830.2, subdivision (a) of Section 830.3, subdivision (a) of Section 830.31, and subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.5.
(3)District attorneys of the state.
(4)Prosecuting city attorneys or city prosecutors of a city within the state.
(5)City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions pursuant to Section 186.22a, or drug abatement actions pursuant to Section 3479 or 3480 of the Civil Code, or Section 11571 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6)Probation officers of the state.
(7)Parole officers of the state.
(8)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon pursuant to Section 4852.08.
(9)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, including all appeals and postconviction motions, or a parole, mandatory supervision pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation extension proceeding, if the information is requested in the course of representation.
(10)A public defender or attorney, defender, an attorney whose practice is qualified to receive funding under Section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, or an attorney providing legal services at an organization that is organized pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the information is requested in the course of a consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client, client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information. information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished.
(11)An agency, officer, or official of the state if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The agency, officer, or official of the state authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information may perform state and federal criminal history information checks as provided for in subdivision (u). The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the agency, officer, or official pursuant to subdivision (p).
(12)A city, county, city and county, or district, or an officer or official thereof, if access is needed in order to assist that agency, officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, and if the access is specifically authorized by the city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city, county, or district if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, ordinance, or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The city, county, city and county, district, or the officer or official thereof authorized by this paragraph may also transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(13)The subject of the state summary criminal history information under procedures established under Article 5 (commencing with Section 11120).
(14)A person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct.
(15)Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district when in the performance of their official duties enforcing Section 120175 of the Health and Safety Code.
(16)A managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility.
(17)A humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, for the specific purpose of complying with Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the appointment of humane officers.
(18)Local child support agencies established by Section 17304 of the Family Code. When a local child support agency closes a support enforcement case containing state summary criminal history information, the agency shall delete or purge from the file and destroy documents or information concerning or arising from offenses for or of which the parent has been arrested, charged, or convicted, other than for offenses related to the parents having failed to provide support for minor children, consistent with the requirements of Section 17531 of the Family Code.
(19)County child welfare agency personnel who have been delegated the authority of county probation officers to access state summary criminal history information pursuant to Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Information from criminal history records provided pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used for a purpose other than those specified in this section and Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. When an agency obtains records both on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check.
(20)The court of a tribe, or court of a consortium of tribes, that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. This information may be used only for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to officers, members, and employees of a tribal court receiving state summary criminal history information pursuant to this section.
(21)Child welfare agency personnel of a tribe or consortium of tribes that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to whom the state has delegated duties under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The purposes for use of the information shall be for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. When an agency obtains records on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to child welfare agency personnel receiving criminal record offender information pursuant to this section.
(22)An officer providing conservatorship investigations pursuant to Sections 5351, 5354, and 5356 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(23)A court investigator providing investigations or reviews in conservatorships pursuant to Section 1826, 1850, 1851, or 2250.6 of the Probate Code.
(24)A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation pursuant to Section 1513 of the Probate Code.
(25)A humane officer pursuant to Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the purposes of performing the officers duties.
(26)A public agency described in subdivision (b) of Section 15975 of the Government Code, for the purpose of oversight and enforcement policies with respect to its contracted providers.
(27)(A)A state entity, or its designee, that receives federal tax information. A state entity or its designee that is authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information also may transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of the state entity or its designee obtaining federal-level criminal offender record information from the Department of Justice. This information shall be used only for the purposes set forth in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, federal tax information, state entity state entity, and designee are as defined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, of subdivision (f) of Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(c)The Attorney General may furnish state summary criminal history information and, when specifically authorized by this subdivision, federal-level criminal history information upon a showing of a compelling need to any of the following, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, that operates a nuclear energy facility when access is needed in order to assist in employing persons to work at the facility, provided that, if the Attorney General supplies the data, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the person to whom the data relates.
(2)A peace officer of the state other than those included in subdivision (b).
(3)An illegal dumping enforcement officer as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 830.7.
(4)A peace officer of another country.
(5)Public officers, other than peace officers, of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States, provided that access to records similar to state summary criminal history information is expressly authorized by a statute of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States if the information is needed for the performance of their official duties.
(6)A person when disclosure is requested by a probation, parole, or peace officer with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history information and for purposes of furthering the rehabilitation of the subject.
(7)The courts of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(8)Peace officers of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(9)An individual who is the subject of the record requested if needed in conjunction with an application to enter the United States or a foreign nation.
(10)(A)(i)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, or a cable corporation as defined in subparagraph (B), if receipt of criminal history information is needed in order to assist in employing current or prospective employees, contract employees, or subcontract employees who, in the course of their employment, may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds. The information provided shall be limited to the record of convictions and arrests for which the person is released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(ii)If the Attorney General supplies the data pursuant to this paragraph, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the current or prospective employee to whom the data relates.
(iii)State summary criminal history information is confidential and the receiving public utility or cable corporation shall not disclose its contents, other than for the purpose for which it was acquired. The state summary criminal history information in the possession of the public utility or cable corporation and all copies made from it shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after employment or promotion or transfer is denied or granted, except for those cases where a current or prospective employee is out on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial, in which case the state summary criminal history information and all copies shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after the case is resolved.
(iv)A violation of this paragraph is a misdemeanor, and shall give the current or prospective employee who is injured by the violation a cause of action against the public utility or cable corporation to recover damages proximately caused by the violations. A public utilitys or cable corporations request for state summary criminal history information for purposes of employing current or prospective employees who may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds in the course of their employment shall be deemed a compelling need as required to be shown in this subdivision.
(v)This section shall not be construed as imposing a duty upon public utilities or cable corporations to request state summary criminal history information on current or prospective employees.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, cable corporation means a corporation or firm that transmits or provides television, computer, or telephone services by cable, digital, fiber optic, satellite, or comparable technology to subscribers for a fee.
(C)Requests for federal-level criminal history information received by the Department of Justice from entities authorized pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the Department of Justice. Federal-level criminal history information received or compiled by the Department of Justice may then be disseminated to the entities referenced in subparagraph (A), as authorized by law.
(11)A campus of the California State University or the University of California, or a four-year college or university accredited by a regional accreditation organization approved by the United States Department of Education, if needed in conjunction with an application for admission by a convicted felon to a special education program for convicted felons, including, but not limited to, university alternatives and halfway houses. Only conviction information shall be furnished. The college or university may require the convicted felon to be fingerprinted, and any inquiry to the department under this section shall include the convicted felons fingerprints and any other information specified by the department.
(12)A foreign government, if requested by the individual who is the subject of the record requested, if needed in conjunction with the individuals application to adopt a minor child who is a citizen of that foreign nation. Requests for information pursuant to this paragraph shall be in accordance with the process described in Sections 11122 to 11124, inclusive. The response shall be provided to the foreign government or its designee and to the individual who requested the information.
(d)Whenever an authorized request for state summary criminal history information pertains to a person whose fingerprints are on file with the Department of Justice and the department has no criminal history of that person, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the fingerprint card accompanying the request for information, if any, may be stamped no criminal record and returned to the person or entity making the request.
(e)Whenever state summary criminal history information is furnished as the result of an application and is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the Department of Justice may charge the person or entity making the request a fee that it determines to be sufficient to reimburse the department for the cost of furnishing the information. In addition, the Department of Justice may add a surcharge to the fee to fund maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained. Notwithstanding any other law, a person or entity required to pay a fee to the department for information received under this section may charge the applicant a fee sufficient to reimburse the person or entity for this expense. All moneys received by the department pursuant to this section, Sections 11105.3 and 26190, and former Section 13588 of the Education Code shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund to be available for expenditure by the department to offset costs incurred pursuant to those sections and for maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(f)Whenever there is a conflict, the processing of criminal fingerprints and fingerprints of applicants for security guard or alarm agent registrations or firearms qualification permits submitted pursuant to Section 7583.9, 7583.23, 7596.3, or 7598.4 of the Business and Professions Code shall take priority over the processing of other applicant fingerprints.
(g)It is not a violation of this section to disseminate statistical or research information obtained from a record, provided that the identity of the subject of the record is not disclosed.
(h)It is not a violation of this section to include information obtained from a record in (1) a transcript or record of a judicial or administrative proceeding or (2) any other public record if the inclusion of the information in the public record is authorized by a court, statute, or decisional law.
(i)Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice or a state or local law enforcement agency may require the submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting state summary criminal history information checks that are authorized by law.
(j)The state summary criminal history information shall include any finding of mental incompetence pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290.
(k)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization and the information is to be used for peace officer employment or certification purposes. As used in this subdivision, a peace officer is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest or detention, except for an arrest or detention resulting in an exoneration, provided, however, that where the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for the arrest, the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Every successful diversion.
(E)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(F)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(G)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(l)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by a criminal justice agency or organization as defined in Section 13101, and the information is to be used for criminal justice employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition or that did not result in a conviction, provided that the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest. However, information concerning an arrest shall not be disclosed if the records of the Department of Justice indicate or if the genuine effort reveals that the subject was exonerated, successfully completed a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program, or the arrest was deemed a detention, or the subject was granted relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(D)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(E)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(F)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(m)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 1522, 1568.09, 1569.17, or 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of any of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction of an offense rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the Department of Social Services is required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code to determine if an applicant has been arrested. However, if the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for an arrest, the Department of Justice shall first make a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(3)Notwithstanding the requirements of the sections referenced in paragraph (1) of this subdivision, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information about an arrest subsequently deemed a detention or an arrest that resulted in the successful completion of a diversion program, exoneration, or a grant of relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(n)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information, to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual pursuant to any of the following:
(A)Paragraph (10) of subdivision (c), when the information is to be used by a cable corporation.
(B)Section 11105.3 or 11105.4.
(C)Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(D)A statute that incorporates the criteria of any of the statutory provisions listed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or of this subdivision, by reference.
(2)With the exception of applications submitted by transportation companies authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, and notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49, rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. However, with the exception of those offenses for which registration is required pursuant to Section 290, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information pursuant to this subdivision unless the conviction occurred within 10 years of the date of the agencys request for information or the conviction is over 10 years old but the subject of the request was incarcerated within 10 years of the agencys request for information.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(D)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(o)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 379 or 1300 of the Financial Code, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of either of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(p)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an agency, organization, or individual not defined in subdivision (k), (l), (m), (n), or (o), or by a transportation company authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of that section or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, private schools, state special schools for the blind and deaf, or any other entity required to have a background check because of a contract with a school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, or state special school for the blind and deaf, shall receive every conviction rendered against an applicant, retroactive to January 1, 2020, regardless of relief granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or any other law, information for a conviction for a controlled substance offense listed in Section 11350 or 11377, or former Section 11500 or 11500.5, of the Health and Safety Code that is more than five years old, for which relief is granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49, shall not be disseminated.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(q)All agencies, organizations, or individuals defined in subdivisions (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) may contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2. This subdivision shall not supersede sections that mandate an agency, organization, or individual to contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2.
(r)This section does not require the Department of Justice to cease compliance with any other statutory notification requirements.
(s)The provisions of Section 50.12 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are to be followed in processing federal criminal history information.
(t)Whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual defined in subdivisions (k) to (p), inclusive, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the authorized agency, organization, or individual shall expeditiously furnish a copy of the information to the person to whom the information relates if the information is a basis for an adverse employment, licensing, or certification decision. When furnished other than in person, the copy shall be delivered to the last contact information provided by the applicant.
(u)(1)If a fingerprint-based criminal history information check is required pursuant to any statute, that check shall be requested from the Department of Justice and shall be applicable to the person identified in the referencing statute. The agency or entity identified in the statute shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice of the types of applicants identified in the referencing statute, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and state or federal arrests and also information as to the existence and content of a record of the state or federal arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(2)If requested, the Department of Justice shall transmit fingerprint images and related information received pursuant to this section to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining a federal criminal history information check. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and compile and disseminate a response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute.
(3)The Department of Justice shall provide a state- or federal-level response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute, pursuant to the identified subdivision.
(4)The agency or entity identified in the referencing statute shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2, for persons described in the referencing statute.
(5)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the request described in this subdivision.
(v)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
(a) The department is hereby designated the single organizational unit whose duty it shall be to administer the Title IV-D state plan for securing child and spousal support, medical support, and determining paternity. State plan functions shall be performed by other agencies as required by law, by delegation of the department, or by cooperative agreements.
(b)The department shall appoint the local child support agency, as defined in Section 17304, or any other entity receiving federal tax information in performance of its child support duties as its designee for purposes of paragraph (26) (27) of subdivision (b) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)For purposes of this section, federal tax information is as defined in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2.Section 11105 of the Penal Code is amended to read:11105.(a)(1)The Department of Justice shall maintain state summary criminal history information.
(2)As used in this section:
(A)State summary criminal history information means the master record of information compiled by the Attorney General pertaining to the identification and criminal history of a person, such as name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, dates of arrests, arresting agencies and booking numbers, charges, dispositions, sentencing information, and similar data about the person.
(B)State summary criminal history information does not refer to records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies other than the Attorney General, nor does it refer to records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence information or security procedures of, the office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
(b)The Attorney General shall furnish state summary criminal history information to the following, if needed in the course of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity, in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)The courts of the state.
(2)Peace officers of the state, as defined in Section 830.1, subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 830.2, subdivision (a) of Section 830.3, subdivision (a) of Section 830.31, and subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.5.
(3)District attorneys of the state.
(4)Prosecuting city attorneys or city prosecutors of a city within the state.
(5)City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions pursuant to Section 186.22a, or drug abatement actions pursuant to Section 3479 or 3480 of the Civil Code, or Section 11571 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6)Probation officers of the state.
(7)Parole officers of the state.
(8)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon pursuant to Section 4852.08.
(9)A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, including all appeals and postconviction motions, or a parole, mandatory supervision pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation extension proceeding, if the information is requested in the course of representation.
(10)A public defender or attorney, in the course of a consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client, who is the subject of state summary criminal history information.
(10)(11)An agency, officer, or official of the state if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The agency, officer, or official of the state authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information may perform state and federal criminal history information checks as provided for in subdivision (u). The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the agency, officer, or official pursuant to subdivision (p).
(11)(12)A city, county, city and county, or district, or an officer or official thereof, if access is needed in order to assist that agency, officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, and if the access is specifically authorized by the city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city, county, or district if the state summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, ordinance, or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct. The city, county, city and county, district, or the officer or official thereof authorized by this paragraph may also transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(12)(13)The subject of the state summary criminal history information under procedures established under Article 5 (commencing with Section 11120).
(13)(14)A person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the state summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon that specified criminal conduct.
(14)(15)Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district when in the performance of their official duties enforcing Section 120175 of the Health and Safety Code.
(15)(16)A managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility.
(16)(17)A humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, for the specific purpose of complying with Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the appointment of humane officers.
(17)(18)Local child support agencies established by Section 17304 of the Family Code. When a local child support agency closes a support enforcement case containing state summary criminal history information, the agency shall delete or purge from the file and destroy documents or information concerning or arising from offenses for or of which the parent has been arrested, charged, or convicted, other than for offenses related to the parents having failed to provide support for minor children, consistent with the requirements of Section 17531 of the Family Code.
(18)(19)County child welfare agency personnel who have been delegated the authority of county probation officers to access state summary criminal history information pursuant to Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Information from criminal history records provided pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used for a purpose other than those specified in this section and Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. When an agency obtains records both on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check.
(19)(20)The court of a tribe, or court of a consortium of tribes, that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. This information may be used only for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to officers, members, and employees of a tribal court receiving state summary criminal history information pursuant to this section.
(20)(21)Child welfare agency personnel of a tribe or consortium of tribes that has entered into an agreement with the state pursuant to Section 10553.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and to whom the state has delegated duties under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 272 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The purposes for use of the information shall be for the purposes specified in Section 16504.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and for tribal approval or tribal licensing of foster care or adoptive homes. When an agency obtains records on the basis of name checks and fingerprint checks, final placement decisions shall be based only on the records obtained pursuant to the fingerprint check. Article 6 (commencing with Section 11140) shall apply to child welfare agency personnel receiving criminal record offender information pursuant to this section.
(21)(22)An officer providing conservatorship investigations pursuant to Sections 5351, 5354, and 5356 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(22)(23)A court investigator providing investigations or reviews in conservatorships pursuant to Section 1826, 1850, 1851, or 2250.6 of the Probate Code.
(23)(24)A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation pursuant to Section 1513 of the Probate Code.
(24)(25)A humane officer pursuant to Section 14502 of the Corporations Code for the purposes of performing the officers duties.
(25)(26)A public agency described in subdivision (b) of Section 15975 of the Government Code, for the purpose of oversight and enforcement policies with respect to its contracted providers.
(26)(27)(A)A state entity, or its designee, that receives federal tax information. A state entity or its designee that is authorized by this paragraph to receive state summary criminal history information also may transmit fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of the state entity or its designee obtaining federal-level criminal offender record information from the Department of Justice. This information shall be used only for the purposes set forth in Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, federal tax information, state entity and designee are as defined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, of subdivision (f) of Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(c)The Attorney General may furnish state summary criminal history information and, when specifically authorized by this subdivision, federal-level criminal history information upon a showing of a compelling need to any of the following, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, Chapter 1321 of the Statutes of 1974 and Section 432.7 of the Labor Code shall apply:
(1)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, that operates a nuclear energy facility when access is needed in order to assist in employing persons to work at the facility, provided that, if the Attorney General supplies the data, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the person to whom the data relates.
(2)A peace officer of the state other than those included in subdivision (b).
(3)An illegal dumping enforcement officer as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 830.7.
(4)A peace officer of another country.
(5)Public officers, other than peace officers, of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States, provided that access to records similar to state summary criminal history information is expressly authorized by a statute of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States if the information is needed for the performance of their official duties.
(6)A person when disclosure is requested by a probation, parole, or peace officer with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history information and for purposes of furthering the rehabilitation of the subject.
(7)The courts of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(8)Peace officers of the United States, other states, or territories or possessions of the United States.
(9)An individual who is the subject of the record requested if needed in conjunction with an application to enter the United States or a foreign nation.
(10)(A)(i)A public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, or a cable corporation as defined in subparagraph (B), if receipt of criminal history information is needed in order to assist in employing current or prospective employees, contract employees, or subcontract employees who, in the course of their employment, may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds. The information provided shall be limited to the record of convictions and arrests for which the person is released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(ii)If the Attorney General supplies the data pursuant to this paragraph, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the data to the current or prospective employee to whom the data relates.
(iii)State summary criminal history information is confidential and the receiving public utility or cable corporation shall not disclose its contents, other than for the purpose for which it was acquired. The state summary criminal history information in the possession of the public utility or cable corporation and all copies made from it shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after employment or promotion or transfer is denied or granted, except for those cases where a current or prospective employee is out on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial, in which case the state summary criminal history information and all copies shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after the case is resolved.
(iv)A violation of this paragraph is a misdemeanor, and shall give the current or prospective employee who is injured by the violation a cause of action against the public utility or cable corporation to recover damages proximately caused by the violations. A public utilitys or cable corporations request for state summary criminal history information for purposes of employing current or prospective employees who may be seeking entrance to private residences or adjacent grounds in the course of their employment shall be deemed a compelling need as required to be shown in this subdivision.
(v)This section shall not be construed as imposing a duty upon public utilities or cable corporations to request state summary criminal history information on current or prospective employees.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, cable corporation means a corporation or firm that transmits or provides television, computer, or telephone services by cable, digital, fiber optic, satellite, or comparable technology to subscribers for a fee.
(C)Requests for federal-level criminal history information received by the Department of Justice from entities authorized pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the Department of Justice. Federal-level criminal history information received or compiled by the Department of Justice may then be disseminated to the entities referenced in subparagraph (A), as authorized by law.
(11)A campus of the California State University or the University of California, or a four-year college or university accredited by a regional accreditation organization approved by the United States Department of Education, if needed in conjunction with an application for admission by a convicted felon to a special education program for convicted felons, including, but not limited to, university alternatives and halfway houses. Only conviction information shall be furnished. The college or university may require the convicted felon to be fingerprinted, and any inquiry to the department under this section shall include the convicted felons fingerprints and any other information specified by the department.
(12)A foreign government, if requested by the individual who is the subject of the record requested, if needed in conjunction with the individuals application to adopt a minor child who is a citizen of that foreign nation. Requests for information pursuant to this paragraph shall be in accordance with the process described in Sections 11122 to 11124, inclusive. The response shall be provided to the foreign government or its designee and to the individual who requested the information.
(d)Whenever an authorized request for state summary criminal history information pertains to a person whose fingerprints are on file with the Department of Justice and the department has no criminal history of that person, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the fingerprint card accompanying the request for information, if any, may be stamped no criminal record and returned to the person or entity making the request.
(e)Whenever state summary criminal history information is furnished as the result of an application and is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the Department of Justice may charge the person or entity making the request a fee that it determines to be sufficient to reimburse the department for the cost of furnishing the information. In addition, the Department of Justice may add a surcharge to the fee to fund maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained. Notwithstanding any other law, a person or entity required to pay a fee to the department for information received under this section may charge the applicant a fee sufficient to reimburse the person or entity for this expense. All moneys received by the department pursuant to this section, Sections 11105.3 and 26190, and former Section 13588 of the Education Code shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund to be available for expenditure by the department to offset costs incurred pursuant to those sections and for maintenance and improvements to the systems from which the information is obtained upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(f)Whenever there is a conflict, the processing of criminal fingerprints and fingerprints of applicants for security guard or alarm agent registrations or firearms qualification permits submitted pursuant to Section 7583.9, 7583.23, 7596.3, or 7598.4 of the Business and Professions Code shall take priority over the processing of other applicant fingerprints.
(g)It is not a violation of this section to disseminate statistical or research information obtained from a record, provided that the identity of the subject of the record is not disclosed.
(h)It is not a violation of this section to include information obtained from a record in (1) a transcript or record of a judicial or administrative proceeding or (2) any other public record if the inclusion of the information in the public record is authorized by a court, statute, or decisional law.
(i)Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice or a state or local law enforcement agency may require the submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting state summary criminal history information checks that are authorized by law.
(j)The state summary criminal history information shall include any finding of mental incompetence pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290.
(k)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization and the information is to be used for peace officer employment or certification purposes. As used in this subdivision, a peace officer is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest or detention, except for an arrest or detention resulting in an exoneration, provided, however, that where the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for the arrest, the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Every successful diversion.
(E)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(F)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(G)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(l)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by a criminal justice agency or organization as defined in Section 13101, and the information is to be used for criminal justice employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition or that did not result in a conviction, provided that the Department of Justice first makes a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest. However, information concerning an arrest shall not be disclosed if the records of the Department of Justice indicate or if the genuine effort reveals that the subject was exonerated, successfully completed a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program, or the arrest was deemed a detention, or the subject was granted relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(D)Every date and agency name associated with all retained peace officer or nonsworn law enforcement agency employee preemployment criminal offender record information search requests.
(E)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(F)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(m)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 1522, 1568.09, 1569.17, or 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of any of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction of an offense rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the Department of Social Services is required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1522 of the Health and Safety Code to determine if an applicant has been arrested. However, if the records of the Department of Justice do not contain a disposition for an arrest, the Department of Justice shall first make a genuine effort to determine the disposition of the arrest.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(3)Notwithstanding the requirements of the sections referenced in paragraph (1) of this subdivision, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information about an arrest subsequently deemed a detention or an arrest that resulted in the successful completion of a diversion program, exoneration, or a grant of relief pursuant to Section 851.91.
(n)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information, to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual pursuant to any of the following:
(A)Paragraph (10) of subdivision (c), when the information is to be used by a cable corporation.
(B)Section 11105.3 or 11105.4.
(C)Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(D)A statute that incorporates the criteria of any of the statutory provisions listed in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), or of this subdivision, by reference.
(2)With the exception of applications submitted by transportation companies authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, and notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49, rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. However, with the exception of those offenses for which registration is required pursuant to Section 290, the Department of Justice shall not disseminate information pursuant to this subdivision unless the conviction occurred within 10 years of the date of the agencys request for information or the conviction is over 10 years old but the subject of the request was incarcerated within 10 years of the agencys request for information.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 15660 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(D)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(o)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency or organization pursuant to Section 379 or 1300 of the Financial Code, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of either of those sections or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.49.
(B)Every arrest for a violation or attempted violation of an offense specified in Section 1300 of the Financial Code for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(C)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(p)(1)This subdivision shall apply whenever state or federal criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an agency, organization, or individual not defined in subdivision (k), (l), (m), (n), or (o), or by a transportation company authorized pursuant to Section 11105.3, or a statute that incorporates the criteria of that section or this subdivision by reference, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes.
(2)Notwithstanding any other law, whenever state summary criminal history information is initially furnished pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department of Justice shall disseminate the following information:
(A)Every conviction rendered against the applicant, except a conviction for which relief has been granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, private schools, state special schools for the blind and deaf, or any other entity required to have a background check because of a contract with a school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, or state special school for the blind and deaf, shall receive every conviction rendered against an applicant, retroactive to January 1, 2020, regardless of relief granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or any other law, information for a conviction for a controlled substance offense listed in Section 11350 or 11377, or former Section 11500 or 11500.5, of the Health and Safety Code that is more than five years old, for which relief is granted pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.425, or 1203.49, shall not be disseminated.
(C)Every arrest for an offense for which the applicant is presently awaiting trial, whether the applicant is incarcerated or has been released on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial.
(D)Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(E)Sentencing information, if present in the departments records at the time of the response.
(q)All agencies, organizations, or individuals defined in subdivisions (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) may contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2. This subdivision shall not supersede sections that mandate an agency, organization, or individual to contract with the Department of Justice for subsequent notification pursuant to Section 11105.2.
(r)This section does not require the Department of Justice to cease compliance with any other statutory notification requirements.
(s)The provisions of Section 50.12 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are to be followed in processing federal criminal history information.
(t)Whenever state or federal summary criminal history information is furnished by the Department of Justice as the result of an application by an authorized agency, organization, or individual defined in subdivisions (k) to (p), inclusive, and the information is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the authorized agency, organization, or individual shall expeditiously furnish a copy of the information to the person to whom the information relates if the information is a basis for an adverse employment, licensing, or certification decision. When furnished other than in person, the copy shall be delivered to the last contact information provided by the applicant.
(u)(1)If a fingerprint-based criminal history information check is required pursuant to any statute, that check shall be requested from the Department of Justice and shall be applicable to the person identified in the referencing statute. The agency or entity identified in the statute shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice of the types of applicants identified in the referencing statute, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and state or federal arrests and also information as to the existence and content of a record of the state or federal arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(2)If requested, the Department of Justice shall transmit fingerprint images and related information received pursuant to this section to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining a federal criminal history information check. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and compile and disseminate a response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute.
(3)The Department of Justice shall provide a state- or federal-level response or a fitness determination, as appropriate, to the agency or entity identified in the referencing statute, pursuant to the identified subdivision.
(4)The agency or entity identified in the referencing statute shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2, for persons described in the referencing statute.
(5)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the request described in this subdivision.
(v)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2023 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Aug 21, 2023 | In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. |
| Aug 14, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Aug 9, 2023 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jun 28, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 27). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 14, 2023 | Referred to Com. on PUB S. |
| Jun 1, 2023 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 31, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1980.) |
| May 18, 2023 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). |
| May 18, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 10, 2023 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 3, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Apr 26, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Mar 16, 2023 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 15, 2023 | Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 14, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 14). |
| Feb 17, 2023 | Referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Feb 7, 2023 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 9. |
| Feb 6, 2023 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jun 27, 2023 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
|
| May 31, 2023 | AB 442 Villapudua Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 18, 2023 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Mar 14, 2023 | Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| A New Way of Life Reentry Project | ** Support | |
| California Attorneys For Criminal Justice | ** Support | |
| California for Safety and Justice | ** Support | |
| Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto | ** Support | |
| East Bay Community Law Center | ** Support | |
| Legal Aid At Work | ** Support | |
| Legal Services for Prisoners with Children | ** Support | |
| National Association Of Social Workers, California Chapter | ** Support | |
| Open Door Legal | ** Support | |
| Peace Officers Research Association Of California | ** Support | |
| Root and Rebound Reentry Advocates | ** Support |
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 442 (Villapudua) - State summary criminal history information
Version: | Policy Vote: |
Urgency: | Mandate: |
Hearing Date: August 21, 2023 | Consultant: |
Bill Summary:
AB 442 would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide state summary criminal history information to public defenders and specified non-profit attorneys if requested in the course of consultation or representation and with consent from the client.
Fiscal Impact:
The DOJ reports costs of $137,000 in 2023-24 and $236,000 annually thereafter (Fingerprint Fees Account, General Fund). See Staff Comments for additional detail.
Background:
Existing law requires the DOJ to maintain a repository of state summary criminal history information. A record of state summary criminal history information is commonly referred to as a “RAP” sheet. The DOJ is required to provide confidential criminal history information, or a RAP sheet, to the courts, prosecutors, peace officers, and other authorized recipients identified by state law if the information is needed in the course of the recipient’s duties. A public defender is entitled to receive a client’s state summary criminal history information from DOJ if the attorney is actively representing the client in a criminal case, juvenile delinquency proceeding, or a proceeding pertaining to a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon.
Proposed Law:
Requires the DOJ to furnish state summary criminal history information to a public defender, an attorney whose practice is qualified to receive funding pursuant to the Business and Professions Code, as specified, or an attorney providing legal services at a certified non-profit organization, if the information is requested in the course of a consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished.
Related Legislation:
AB 2133 (Weber), Chapter 965, Statutes of 2018, clarified in what situations a criminal defense attorney may be provided with information from the DOJ’s summary criminal history database and eliminated the requirement that a criminal defense attorney have some separate legal authorization to obtain that information.
Staff Comments:
This bill would require DOJ to provide summary criminal history information to public defenders and specified non-profit attorneys, if requested in the course of consulting or representing a potential client or client, and the person gives their informed written consent. The DOJ anticipates that this would create workload for the Record Quality Services Program (RQSP). The RQSP would require 2.0 permanent Crime Analyst (CA) I positions beginning 1/1/2024. These positions would review incoming records requests, determine if the requestor is authorized to obtain the information, pull criminal history, redact information as needed, and provide a response to the requestor. Additionally, AB 442 would expand the scope of an existing crime which could result in an increase in arrest prints. DOJ reports that in order to process increased arrest prints, the Cal-ID Program would require overtime for a CA I beginning FY 2023-24 and ongoing.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Senator Aisha Wahab, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 442 Hearing Date: June 27, 2023
Author: | Villapudua | ||
Version: | March 15, 2023 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | MK | ||
Subject: State summary criminal history information
HISTORY
Source: Californians for Safety and Justice
Prior Legislation: SB 211 (Umberg) Chapter 723, Stats. 2021
AB 2133 (Weber) Chapter 965, Stats. 2018
AB 971 (Garcia), Chapter 458, Statutes of 2013
AB 428 (Fletcher), Chapter 441, Statutes of 2009
SB 2161 (Schiff), Chapter 421, Statutes of 2000
Support: A New Way of Life Reentry Project; California Attorneys for Criminal Justice; California Public Defenders Association (CPDA); Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto; County of Santa Clara; East Bay Community Law Center; Legal Aid At Work; Legal Services for Prisoners With Children; National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter; Open Door Legal; Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC); Root and Rebound Reentry Advocates; Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office
Opposition: None known
Assembly Floor Vote: 79 - 0
PURPOSE
This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide state summary criminal history information (RAP sheets) to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys if requested in the course of consultation or representation and the client or prospective client gives informed written consent.
Existing law requires DOJ to maintain state summary criminal history information. (Penal Code §11105(a).)
Existing law requires DOJ to furnish state summary criminal history information to specified entities, including if needed in the course of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, specified restrictions listed in the Labor Code are followed. (Penal Code § 11105 (b).)
Existing law provides that DOJ shall furnish summary criminal history to the following entities if the information is needed in the course of their duties:
- Courts of the state;
- Peace officers of the state, as defined;
- District Attorneys of the state;
- Prosecuting city attorneys or city prosecutors of a city within the state;
- City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions or drug abatement actions, as defined;
- Probation officers of the state;
- Parole officers of the state;
- Public defenders or attorneys of record in a proceeding for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon;
- Public defenders or attorneys of record if they are authorized access by statute or decisional law;
- An agency, officer, or official of the state if the information is required to implement a statute or regulation;
- A city or county, city and county, or an officer or official thereof if access is needed in order to assist the fulfilling of employment, certification, or licensing duties is access is specifically authorized by the city council or other governing body, or if required to implement a statute or regulation;
- The person who’s information is reflected in the criminal history information;
- A person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation;
- Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district when in the performance of their official duties;
- A managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility;
- A humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals for purposes of appointing humane officers;
- Local child support agencies, provided certain information is deleted or purged;
- County child welfare agency personnel who have delegated authority as probation officers, as specified;
- The court of a tribe, as specified;
- Child welfare agency of a tribe, as specified;
- An officer providing conservatorship investigations;
- A court investigator providing investigations or reviews in conservatorships, as specified;
- A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation, as specified;
- A humane officer for the performance of his or her duties;
- A public agency that is an entity formed by the regional transportation planning authority as defined, for the purpose of oversight and enforcement policies; and,
- A state entity or its designee that receives federal tax information. (Penal Code § 11105(b)(1)-(26).)
Existing law allows DOJ to furnish state summary criminal history information to specified entities and, when specifically authorized, federal-level criminal history information upon a showing of a compelling need, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, specified restrictions listed in the Labor Code are followed. (Penal Code § 11105 (c).)
Existing law allows DOJ to charge a fee to reimburse department costs, and a surcharge to fund system maintenance and improvements, whenever state summary criminal history information is furnished as the result of an application and is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes. Allows, notwithstanding any other law, any person or entity required to pay a fee to DOJ for information received under this provision to charge the applicant a fee sufficient to reimburse the person or entity for this expense. (Penal Code § 11105 (e).)
Existing law authorizes, notwithstanding any other law, a human resource agency or an employer to request from DOJ records of all convictions or any arrest pending adjudication involving the offenses specified of a person who applies for a license, employment, or volunteer position, in which he or she would have supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor or any person under his or her care. Requires DOJ to furnish the information to the requesting employer and also send a copy of the information to the applicant. (Penal Code § 11105.3 (a).)
Existing law requires a local criminal justice agency to furnish local summary criminal history information to any of a list the specified entities, and authorizing the local criminal justice agency to furnish this information to any of a list of specified entities upon a showing of a compelling need, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, specified restrictions listed in the Labor Code are followed. (Penal Code § 13300.)
Existing law allows a testifying witness’s credibility to be attacked by evidence of a prior felony conviction. (Evidence Code § 788.)
Existing law allows a testifying witness’s credibility to be attacked by evidence of prior acts tending to show a lack of honesty or veracity. (Evidence Code § 786; People v. Wheeler (1992) 4 Cal. 4th 284, 296.)
Existing law defines which nonprofit entities are presumed to be eligible for legal services funding administered by the State Bar. (Bus. & Prof. Code§§ 6213, 6214, 6214.5, 6215.)
Existing law provides tax-exempt status to nonprofit organizations with specified purposes, including charitable. (26 USCS § 501(c)(3).)
This bill shall also furnish state summary criminal history information to a public defender, an attorney whose practice is qualified to receive funding under Section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, or an attorney providing legal services at an organization that is organized pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, if the information is requested in the course of a consultation or representation, on behalf of a prospective client or client who is the subject of state summary criminal history information, and the subject of the information gives informed written consent to the information being furnished.
COMMENTS
1. Need for This Bill
According to the author:
With California having one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, it is important that we enact legislation that will help formerly incarcerated individuals. AB 442 will help these individuals reintegrate into society by removing unnecessary delays and barriers in receiving their state summary criminal history information (commonly called a “RAP” sheet). This will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to receive accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration.
2. Criminal Record Information
State summary criminal history information is the master record of information compiled by DOJ pertaining to the identification and criminal history of any person. This information includes name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, arrests, dispositions and similar data. (Penal Code § 11105 (a).) State summary criminal history information is commonly referred to as a “RAP” sheet.
Under current law, and as relevant here, DOJ must provide summary criminal history information to the following: a public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon; a public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, if the information is requested in the course of representation; and the subject of the state summary criminal history information. (Penal Code, § 11105 (b)(8), (b)(9) & (b)(12).)
This bill would require DOJ to also provide the summary criminal history information to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys, if requested in the course of consulting or representing a potential client or client, and the person gives their informed written consent.
3. Argument in Support
A New Way of Life Reentry Program supports this bill stating:
In supporting clients in need of clean slate legal services, attorneys who provide these services have not traditionally been included in the list of those with access to state summary criminal history information (commonly called a “RAP” Sheet). The RAP Sheet contains information necessary to evaluate a person’s conviction history for potential post-conviction remedies and any restrictions associated with their conviction(s). While the courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, state agencies, local governments, and a number of other entities and people can be access this information nearly instantly. A person who is the subject of this information must complete a multi-step process that requires an in-person application and paying fees costing between $25 and $200 to obtain their own conviction records. Further, the person must then wait weeks to receive their information before they seek the assistance of an attorney to assist with any post-conviction remedies they may be eligible for and to understand any civil restrictions imposed because of their conviction history.
In addition, recent changes to the law have created automated record cleaning relief. This powerful tool can address many of the issues people face because of their convictions. The Department of Justice does not provide people with any notice of relief granted under these new laws. Therefore, a person would not know their rights without first knowing if they have received these automatic remedies. Having timely access to state summary criminal history information allows an attorney to inform the person of all available remedies. Further, identifying automated relief prevents the filing of duplicative and unnecessary petitions, thus saving limited court resources.
By allowing clean slate, legal aid, pro bono, and other attorneys supporting people with a conviction history, to swiftly obtain the state summary criminal history information without additional costs, AB 442 reduces barriers to post-conviction relief and allows for a more efficient evaluation of a person's conviction history which is critical to provide accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration.
-- END –
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 442
Author:(Villapudua)
As Amended Ver:March 15, 2023
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide state summary criminal history information (RAP sheets) to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys if requested in the course of consultation or representation and the client or prospective client gives informed written consent.
Major Provisions
COMMENTS
According to the Author
"With California having one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, it is important that we enact legislation that will help formerly incarcerated individuals. AB 442 will help these individuals reintegrate into society by removing unnecessary delays and barriers in receiving their state summary criminal history information (commonly called a 'RAP' sheet). This will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to receive accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration."
Arguments in Support
According to Californians for Safety and Justice, a co-sponsor of this bill, "State summary criminal history information (commonly called a 'RAP' Sheet) contains the information necessary to evaluate a person's conviction history for potential post-conviction remedies and any restrictions associated with their conviction(s). This information can be accessed nearly instantly, by courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, state agencies, local governments, and a number of other entities and people. However, for a person to understand their own conviction history, they must complete a multi-step process that requires an in-person application and paying fees costing between $25 and $200. The person then must wait weeks to receive their own information before they can go to an attorney for support with any postconviction remedies, they may be eligible for and to understand any civil restrictions imposed because of their conviction history.
“Recent changes to the law have created automated record cleaning relief. This powerful tool can address many of the issues people face because of an old conviction. The Department of Justice does not provide people with any notice of relief under these new laws. Therefore, people cannot know their rights without first knowing if they have received these remedies. Timely access to state summary criminal history information allows an attorney to inform the person of available remedies. Further, identifying automated relief prevents the filing of duplicative and unnecessary petitions, thus saving limited court resources.
“By allowing clean slate, legal aid, pro bono, and other attorneys supporting people with a conviction history, to swiftly obtain the state summary criminal history information without additional costs AB 442 reduces barriers to post-conviction relief and allows for a more efficient evaluation of a person's conviction history which is critical to provide accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration."
Arguments in Opposition
None submitted.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, costs to DOJ (General Fund) of an unknown but potentially significant amount. Costs to DOJ will depend on the number of requests from qualifying attorneys received by DOJ, and the workload needed to process, verify, and respond to requests. In 2018, DOJ estimated ongoing annual costs around $227,000 to implement AB 2133 (Weber), Chapter 965, Statutes of 2018, which required DOJ to provide rap sheets to a public defender or other defense attorney representing a client in a criminal case or juvenile delinquency proceeding. Depending on the factors discussed above, DOJ's costs for implementing this bill may be similar.
VOTES
ASM PUBLIC SAFETY: 8-0-0
YES: Jones-Sawyer, Alanis, Bonta, Bryan, Lackey, Ortega, Santiago, Zbur
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-1
YES: Holden, Megan Dahle, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Mathis, Papan, Pellerin, Sanchez, Weber, Ortega
ABS, ABST OR NV: Robert Rivas
UPDATED
VERSION: March 15, 2023
CONSULTANT: Cheryl Anderson / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0000701
Date of Hearing: May 10, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Chris Holden, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 442
Author:(Villapudua) – As Amended Ver:March 15, 2023
Policy Committee: | Public Safety | Vote: | 8 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide a person’s state summary criminal history information to a public defender or other specified non-profit attorney if the attorney requests the information in the course of a consultation or representation, and the person gives informed written consent to release the information.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Costs to DOJ (General Fund) of an unknown but potentially significant amount. Costs to DOJ will depend on the number of requests from qualifying attorneys received by DOJ, and the workload needed to process, verify, and respond to requests. In 2018, DOJ estimated ongoing annual costs around $227,000 to implement AB 2133 (Weber) Chapter 965, Statutes of 2018, which required DOJ to provide rap sheets to a public defender or other defense attorney representing a client in a criminal case or juvenile delinquency proceeding. Depending on the factors discussed above, DOJ’s costs for implementing this bill may be similar.
COMMENTS:
- Author’s Statement. According to the author:
With California having one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, it is important that we enact legislation that will help formerly incarcerated individuals. AB 442 will help these individuals reintegrate into society by removing unnecessary delays and barriers in receiving their state summary criminal history information (commonly called a ‘RAP’ sheet). This will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to receive accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration.
- Background. Existing law requires DOJ to maintain a repository of state summary criminal history information, also known as rap sheets. The law states that DOJ must provide confidential rap sheet information to the courts, prosecutors, peace officers, and other authorized recipients identified in Penal Code section 11105, if the information is needed in the course of the recipient’s duties. A public defender is entitled to receive a client’s state summary criminal history information from DOJ if the attorney is actively representing the client in a criminal case, juvenile delinquency proceeding, or a proceeding pertaining to a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon.
This bill would expand the circumstances in which a public defender or other nonprofit attorney, as specified, could receive a person’s criminal history information. It would allow a qualifying attorney to obtain someone’s rap sheet with the person’s informed, written consent in the course of a consultation or representation of that person. In other words, the attorney need not formally represent the person in order to receive their rap sheet – the attorney could obtain a rap sheet in order to provide an initial consultation to a prospective client. According to supporters of the bill, this change would eliminate barriers to obtaining post-conviction relief by providing easier access to rap sheets for attorneys that conduct clean slate, legal aid, pro bono, and other defense work.
- Prior Legislation. AB 2133 (Weber), Chapter 965, Statutes of 2018, clarified in what situations a criminal defense attorney may be provided with information from the DOJ’s summary criminal history database and eliminated the requirement that a criminal defense attorney have some separate legal authorization to obtain that information.
Analysis Prepared by: Annika Carlson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing:
Counsel: Cheryl Anderson
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 442
Author:(Villapudua) – As Introduced Ver:February 6, 2023
As Proposed to be Amended in Committee
SUMMARY:
Requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide state summary criminal history information (RAP sheets) to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys if requested in the course of consultation or representation and the client or prospective client gives informed written consent.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires DOJ to maintain state summary criminal history information. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (a).)
- Defines “state summary criminal history information” as “the master record of information compiled by the Attorney General pertaining to the identification and criminal history of a person, such as name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, dispositions, sentencing information, and similar data about the person.” (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (a)(2)(A).)
- Requires DOJ to furnish state summary criminal history information to the following entities, if needed in the course of their duties, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, specified restrictions in the Labor Code are followed:
- The courts of California;
- Peace officers, as defined;
- District attorneys of California;
- Prosecuting city attorneys;
- City attorneys pursuing civil gang injunctions or drug abatement actions;
- Probation officers of California;
- Parole officers of California;
- A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon;
- A public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, including all appeals and postconviction motions, or a parole, mandatory supervision, or postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation extension proceeding, and if the information is requested in the course of representation;
- Any agency, officer, or official of the state if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation;
- Any city or county, city and county, district, or any officer or official thereof if access is needed in order to assist that agency, officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, and if the access is specifically authorized by the city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city, county, or district if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute, ordinance, or regulation;
- The subject of the state summary criminal history information;
- Any person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute if the criminal history information is required to implement a statute or regulation;
- Health officers of a city, county, city and county, or district when in the performance of their official duties preventing the spread of communicable diseases;
- Any managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility;
- Any humane society, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals for the appointment of humane officers;
- Local child support agencies provided certain information is deleted or purged;
- County child welfare agency personnel who have delegated authority as county probation officers;
- The court of a tribe, or court of a consortium of tribes, that has entered into an agreement with the state as specified;
- Child welfare agency personnel of a tribe or consortium of tribes that has entered into an agreement with the state as specified;
- An officer providing conservatorship investigations;
- A court investigator providing investigation reviews in conservatorships;
- A person authorized to conduct a guardianship investigation;
- A humane officer for the purposes of performing their duties;
- A public agency that is an entity formed by the regional transportation planning authority, as defined, for the purposes of oversight and enforcement of the agency's policies; and
- A state entity, or its designee, that receives federal tax information, for employee background checks. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (b).)
- The courts of California;
- Allows DOJ to furnish state summary criminal history information to specified entities and, when specifically authorized, federal-level criminal history information upon a showing of a compelling need, provided that when information is furnished to assist an agency, officer, or official of state or local government, a public utility, or any other entity in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, specified restrictions in the Labor Code are followed. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (c).)
- Notwithstanding any other law, DOJ or a state or local law enforcement agency may require the submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting state summary criminal history information checks that are authorized by law. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (i).)
- Provides that any person desiring a copy of the record relating to himself shall obtain an application form furnished by DOJ which shall require the person’s fingerprints in addition to such other information as DOJ specified. Applications may be obtained from police departments, sheriff departments, or DOJ. The fingerprinting agency may fix a reasonable fee for affixing the applicant’s fingerprints to the form, and shall retain such fee. (Pen. Code, § 11122.)
- Defines which nonprofit entities are presumed to be eligible for legal services funding administered by the State Bar. (Bus. & Prof. Cdoe, § 6213, 6214, 6214.5, 6215.)
- Provides tax-exempt status to nonprofit organizations with specified purposes, including charitable. (26 USCS § 501(c)(3).)
FISCAL EFFECT:
Unknown
COMMENTS:
- Author's Statement: According to the author, "With California having one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, it is important that we enact legislation that will help formerly incarcerated individuals. AB 442 will help these individuals reintegrate into society by removing unnecessary delays and barriers in receiving their state summary criminal history information (commonly called a ‘RAP’ sheet). This will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to receive accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration.”
- State Summary Criminal History Information: State summary criminal history information is the master record of information compiled by DOJ pertaining to the identification and criminal history of any person. This information includes name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, arrests, dispositions and similar data. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (a).) State summary criminal history information is commonly referred to as a “RAP” sheet.
Under current law, and as relevant here, DOJ must provide summary criminal history information to the following: a public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in proceedings upon a petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon; a public defender or attorney of record when representing a person in a criminal case or a juvenile delinquency proceeding, if the information is requested in the course of representation; and the subject of the state summary criminal history information. (Pen. Code, § 11105, subd. (b)(8), (b)(9) & (b)(12).)
This bill would require DOJ to also provide the summary criminal history information to public defenders or specified non-profit attorneys, if requested in the course of consulting or representing a potential client or client, and the person gives their informed written consent. - Argument in Support: According to Californians for Safety and Justice, a co-sponsor of this bill, “State summary criminal history information (commonly called a ‘RAP’ Sheet) contains the information necessary to evaluate a person’s conviction history for potential post-conviction remedies and any restrictions associated with their conviction(s). This information can be accessed nearly instantly, by courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, state agencies, local governments, and a number of other entities and people. However, for a person to understand their own conviction history, they must complete a multi-step process that requires an in-person application and paying fees costing between $25 and $200. The person then must wait weeks to receive their own information before they can go to an attorney for support with any postconviction remedies, they may be eligible for and to understand any civil restrictions imposed because of their conviction history.
“Recent changes to the law have created automated record cleaning relief. This powerful tool can address many of the issues people face because of an old conviction. The Department of Justice does not provide people with any notice of relief under these new laws. Therefore, people cannot know their rights without first knowing if they have received these remedies. Timely access to state summary criminal history information allows an attorney to inform the person of available remedies. Further, identifying automated relief prevents the filing of duplicative and unnecessary petitions, thus saving limited court resources.
“By allowing clean slate, legal aid, pro bono, and other attorneys supporting people with a conviction history, to swiftly obtain the state summary criminal history information without additional costs AB 442 reduces barriers to post-conviction relief and allows for a more efficient evaluation of a person's conviction history which is critical to provide accurate information about any impacts of their conviction(s) on employment, housing, education, or immigration.” - Argument in Opposition: None submitted
- Prior Legislation:
- SB 211 (Umberg), Chapter 723, Statutes of 2021, defined “civil legal services” for purposes of eligible work by qualified legal services organizations and support centers, to include legal services related to expungements, record sealing or clearance proceedings not requiring a finding of factual innocence, and infractions.
- AB 2133 (Weber), Chapter 965, Statutes of 2018, clarified in what situations a criminal defense attorney may be provided with information from the DOJ’s summary criminal history database and eliminated the requirement that a criminal defense attorney have some separate legal authorization to obtain that information.
- AB 971 (Garcia), Chapter 458, Statutes of 2013, authorized certain criminal history information to be provided to paratransit agencies for the purposes of oversight and enforcement of the agency's policies with respect to contracted providers of service.
- AB 428 (Fletcher), Chapter 441, Statutes of 2009, added any foreign government to the list of entities to which DOJ is authorized to provide summary criminal history information, if the information is requested by the individual who is the subject of the record requested and if that information is needed in conjunction with the individual’s application to adopt a minor child who is a citizen of that foreign nation.
- SB 2161 (Schiff), Chapter 421, Statutes of 2000, required DOJ and local criminal justice agencies to furnish the state summary criminal history information to county child welfare agency personnel who have been delegated the authority of county probation officers pursuant to these provisions.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
A New Way of Life Reentry Project (Co-Sponsor)
California for Safety and Justice (Co-Sponsor)
East Bay Community Law Center (Co-Sponsor)
Legal Aid at Work (Co-Sponsor)
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (Co-Sponsor)
Root and Rebound Reentry Advocates (Co-Sponsor)
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter
Open Door Legal
Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)
Opposition
None.
Analysis Prepared by:
Cheryl Anderson / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744
Discussed in Hearing
View Older HearingsBill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):