I’m proud to introduce the following bills that tackle important public safety issues.
SB 1122 adds clarity to education requirements for Peace Officer Candidates including the timeline for completion of upcoming degree requirements under the PEACE Act.
Currently, police officers are required to complete a bachelor and associate degree within 24 months of their appointment. Adding flexibility to the timeline for completion allows officers to secure their employment and establish their career before being required to complete a degree. As California faces law enforcement shortages in rural and urban areas, adding more flexibility will aid the hiring of more high quality officers.
SB 1219 establishes that impeding traffic and loitering in a public place with the intent to solicit prostitution is a form of disorderly conduct. Studies have shown that the decriminalization of prostitution has not led to better safeguards for victims of human trafficking and that recently, there has been an explosion of underage prostitution. This bill will allow law enforcement to intervene and offer resources to victims.
I am also pleased to coauthor these bills to enhance safety for all Californians:
SB 933 (Wahab) includes artificial intelligence-generated images that depict a child (person under 18 years of age) engaging or simulating a sexual conduct, in the definition of child pornography. There is a gap in our current legal framework because of our rapid technological advancements, and this legislation specifically targets the emerging issue of artificial intelligence-generated images.
SB 1011 (Jones) clears homeless encampments. This bill balances government accountability for maintaining safe public spaces with compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting encampments within 500 feet of sensitive community areas such as schools, open spaces, and transit stops, prohibiting camping on sidewalks if a homeless shelter is available, requiring a 72-hour warning before an encampment sweep, and requiring enforcement officers to provide information about sleeping alternatives, homeless and mental health services, and/or homeless shelters in the area.
No one should be living on the street, and no community should have to accept homeless encampments that rapidly become dangerous health and safety problems for surrounding people, homes, and businesses.
SB 1074 (Jones) requires the Director of State Hospitals to ensure that vendors consider public safety as the overriding consideration in placements of sexually violent predators, and approve a potential placement before a department employee or vendor signs a lease or rental agreement. Empowering the Director of State Hospitals to ensure accountability, fairness, and thorough enforcement in approving placements, will enhance the overall safety of our communities.
Thank you for this opportunity to be of service.
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