Californians deserve a voice and a seat at the table when it comes to law enforcement’s acquisition of surveillance technologies. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case in California, where law enforcement’s use of this technology invades our private lives and has played a nefarious role in the federal government’s racist deportation campaign and tearing California families apart. It’s time to bring transparency, oversight, and accountability for law enforcement’s use of technologies – such as drones, social media surveillance, and license plate readers – which allow police to track and even detain us as we go about our daily lives.

SB 1186 restores power to local communities and makes sure our voices are heard. SB 1186 requires public debate and a vote by local elected leaders prior to law enforcement’s acquisition of new surveillance technology. The bill also requires written rules for existing surveillance technology in order curtail the possibility of civil liberties and civil rights abuses by local law enforcement. With SB 1186, California can finally say no to an intrusive police presence and the secretive surveillance that enables it.

Author:
Senator Jerry Hill

Bill Status [Inactive]

Updates
Held: Assembly Appropriations Committee (8/16/18)
Approved: Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee (6/26/18)
Approved: Assembly Public Safety Committee (6/19/18)
Passed: Senate Floor (5/31/18)
Approved: Senate Appropriations Committee (5/25/18)
Approved: Senate Judiciary Committee (4/17/18)
Approved: Senate Public Safety Committee (4/3/18)
Introduced (2/15/18)

Learn more

Take Action: Email your state assemblymember and ask them to respect local voices when surveillance proposals are on the table by supporting SB 1186.

A California City Fights Off ICE’s Digital Deportation Machine (February 13, 2018)

ACLU of California - Making Smart Decisions About Surveillance: A Guide for Community Transparency, Accountability & Oversight (April 2016)

Santa Clara County Passes Groundbreaking Law to Shine a Light on Secret Surveillance (June 7, 2016)