Amended  IN  Assembly  March 24, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2354

Introduced by Assembly Member Kalra

February 16, 2022

An act to amend Sections 1318, 1318.1, 11105, 13101, and 13300 of the Penal Code, relating to pretrial release records. release.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2354, as amended, Kalra. Pretrial release records. release: pretrial assessment agencies.
(1) Existing law allows a defendant to be released under their own recognizance pending trial if a defendant files with the clerk of the court, or other person authorized to accept bail, a signed release agreement that includes various stipulations by the defendant.
The bill would, for a defendant released from custody under a court’s order for pretrial supervision, prohibit a defendant from being charged a fee for pretrial supervision, maintain information obtained in pretrial supervision services apart from law enforcement and criminal justice records, and make confidential information in the course of performing pretrial supervision subject to specified exceptions, including that the court may order the disclosure of information if the information is material, exonerating on the issue of guilt, and would not otherwise be available. The bill would authorize the disclosure of information to specified entities, including to the court to determine bail, release, and conditions of release, detention, compliance with release conditions, or sentencing, and to a law enforcement agency upon a reasonable belief that the information is necessary to assist in apprehending an individual. The bill would prohibit the admissibility of this information on the issue of guilt in a criminal proceeding except when the crime was committed while on pretrial supervision or a defendant failed to appear in a criminal proceeding while on pretrial supervision.
(2) Existing law allows a court to employ an investigative staff to make a recommendation on whether a defendant should be released on their own recognizance pending trial. Existing law requires an investigative report be prepared in all cases involving specified felonies with a recommendation on whether a defendant should be released on their own recognizance. Existing law requires the report to be submitted to the court prior to a specified hearing.
The bill would authorize an investigative report for every investigation by a court-employed investigative staff. If a report is issued, the bill would require the investigative staff only to include information relevant to the release of a defendant and would prohibit the investigative staff from soliciting from a defendant information regarding the circumstances of the alleged offense. The bill would require the report to be kept confidential and would not allow the report to be admissible on the issue of guilt in a criminal proceeding.
(3) 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 agencies, a public utility, or any other entity, if needed in the course of their duties, including the courts, district attorneys, and probation and parole officers. Existing law allows the department to furnish federal level criminal history information upon a showing, as specified, to various state and local government officers, officials, and agencies, a public utility, and any other entity. Under existing law, the disclosure of state summary criminal history information to an unauthorized person is a crime.
The bill would also require the Attorney General to furnish state summary criminal history information to county staff performing pretrial release services, as specified, and if needed in the course of their duties, and allow the Attorney General to furnish federal level criminal history information to a treatment provider, as specified, with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history and for purposes of furthering the subject’s compliance with pretrial release or diversion. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4) Existing law requires a local criminal justice agency to furnish local summary criminal history information, as defined, to various state and local government officers, officials, and agencies, a public utility, or any entity, when the information is needed in the course of their duties. Under existing law, the disclosure of local summary criminal history information to an unauthorized person is a crime.
The bill would also require a local criminal justice agency to furnish local summary criminal history information to a county staff performing pretrial release services, as defined, and would allow a local criminal justice agency to furnish local summary criminal history information to a treatment provider as specified, with the consent of the subject of the local summary criminal history and for purposes of furthering the subject’s compliance with pretrial release or diversion. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(5) Existing law defines “criminal justice agencies” as agencies that perform activities that relate to the apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, incarceration, or correction of criminal offenders. Under existing law, a criminal justice agency, among other things, compiles records and data for the purpose of identifying criminal offenders and maintaining specified information pertaining to each offender, including a summary of arrests and pretrial proceedings.
The bill would include pretrial release within the definition of an activity of a criminal justice agency. By imposing a new duty on local government, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.
(6) Existing law provides that, except as otherwise provided by statute, all relevant evidence is admissible. The California Constitution provides for the Right to Truth-In-Evidence, which requires a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to exclude any relevant evidence from any criminal proceeding, as specified.
This bill would make the report inadmissable in a criminal proceeding, as specified, thereby requiring this bill to be passed by a 2/3 vote of both houses of the Legislature.
(7) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(8) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law allows a court to employ an investigative staff to make a recommendation on whether a defendant should be released on their own recognizance pending trial. Existing law requires an investigative report be prepared in all cases involving specified felonies with a recommendation on whether a defendant should be released on their own recognizance. Existing law requires the report to be submitted to the court prior to a hearing in open court on whether the defendant will be released on their own recognizance.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation for purposes of clarifying access to pretrial release records.

Vote: MAJORITY2/3   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NOYES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 1318 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

1318.
 (a) The defendant shall not be released from custody under an own recognizance until the defendant files with the clerk of the court or other person authorized to accept bail a signed release agreement which includes:
(1) The defendant’s promise to appear at all times and places, as ordered by the court or magistrate and as ordered by any court in which, or any magistrate before whom the charge is subsequently pending.
(2) The defendant’s promise to obey all reasonable conditions imposed by the court or magistrate.
(3) The defendant’s promise not to depart this state without leave of the court.
(4) Agreement by the defendant to waive extradition if the defendant fails to appear as required and is apprehended outside of the State of California.
(5) The acknowledgment of the defendant that he or she the defendant has been informed of the consequences and penalties applicable to violation of the conditions of release.
(b) If the court orders pretrial supervision as a condition of the defendant’s release from custody under subdivision (a), the following shall apply:
(1) The defendant shall not be charged any fees for pretrial supervision.
(2) Information obtained in the course of performing pretrial supervision services shall be maintained apart from other law enforcement and criminal justice records and shall be confidential, subject to the following exceptions:
(A) A written report filed with the court regarding the defendant’s compliance with the conditions of release shall be provided to the prosecuting attorney and the attorney for the defendant. The report shall not be further disclosed or disseminated to any other person or agency by the prosecuting attorney or the attorney for the defendant.
(B) The court may order the disclosure of information if there is a substantial likelihood that the information is all of the following:
(i) Material.
(ii) Exonerating on the issue of guilt in a judicial proceeding involving the individual charged or a third party.
(iii) Would not otherwise be available in such a proceeding.
(C) Without waiving the privilege under Section 1040 of the Evidence Code, information may be disclosed to the following individuals and entities to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of the disclosure:
(i) The court to determine bail, release, and any conditions of release, detention, compliance with release conditions, or sentencing.
(ii) If the defendant poses an imminent risk of physical harm, information necessary to permit the party at risk to take appropriate protective action.
(iii) An agency or program to which the defendant has been referred as a condition of release.
(iv) A law enforcement agency upon a reasonable belief that such information is necessary to assist in apprehending an individual for whom a warrant has been issued for failure to appear or for the commission of a crime.
(v) A probation department for use in communicating the defendant’s compliance with the conditions of release in a presentence investigation report, or for locating the defendant if the probation department is supervising the defendant concurrently.
(vi) An individual or agency designated by the defendant upon specific written authorization of the defendant.
(vii) A public agency or bona fide research institution for purposes of conducting research related to the administration of justice. Information identifying individuals shall be provided only for research and statistical activities and shall not be transferred, revealed, or used for purposes other than research or statistical activities. Reports or publications derived from this information shall not identify specific individuals.
(D) The individuals and entities that receive information under subparagraph (C) shall not disclose or disseminate that information to others, except that the individuals and entities identified in clauses (i), (ii), (iv), and (v) of subparagraph (C) may disclose or disseminate that information to others if necessary to carry out the purpose of the disclosure.
(3) Information obtained in the course of performing pretrial supervision services shall not be admissible on the issue of guilt in a criminal proceeding, except for the prosecution of a crime committed while on pretrial supervision or for failure to appear in a criminal proceeding while the defendant was on pretrial supervision.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1318.1 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

1318.1.
 (a) A court, with the concurrence of the board of supervisors, may employ an investigative staff for the purpose of recommending whether a defendant should be released on his or her their own recognizance.
(b) Whenever a court has employed an investigative staff pursuant to subdivision (a), an investigative report may be prepared. An investigative report shall be prepared in all cases involving a violent felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, or a felony in violation of subdivision (a) of Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code, recommending whether the defendant should be released on his or her their own recognizance. The report shall include all of the following:
(1) Written verification of any outstanding warrants against the defendant.
(2) Written verification of any prior incidents where the defendant has failed to make a court appearance.
(3) Written verification of the criminal record of the defendant.
(4) Written verification of the residence of the defendant during the past year.

After the report is certified pursuant to this subdivision, it

(c) The investigative staff may only include information relevant to the release of the defendant in the report. The investigative staff shall not solicit from the defendant any information regarding the circumstances of the alleged offense.
(d) The report shall be submitted to the court for review, prior to a hearing held pursuant to Section 1319. The report shall be kept confidential and shall not be admissible on the issue of guilt in a criminal proceeding. A copy of the report shall be provided to the prosecuting attorney and the attorney for the defendant. The report shall not be further disclosed or disseminated to any other person or agency by the prosecuting attorney or the attorney for the defendant.

(c)

(e) The salaries of the staff are a proper charge against the county.

SEC. 3.

 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) 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 parent’s 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 officer’s 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” and “designee” are as defined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, of subdivision (f) of Section 1044 of the Government Code.
(27) County staff performing pretrial release services under Section 1318 or 1318.1.
(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 utility’s or cable corporation’s 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 felon’s 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 individual’s 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.
(13) A treatment provider, if disclosure is requested by county staff performing pretrial release services under Sections 1318 and 1318.1, with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history, and for purposes of furthering the subject’s compliance with court-ordered conditions of pretrial release or diversion.
(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 department’s 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 which 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 department’s 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 department’s 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 agency’s request for information or the conviction is over 10 years old but the subject of the request was incarcerated within 10 years of the agency’s 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 department’s 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 500 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 500 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 500 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 department’s 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 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) 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) Sex offender registration status of the applicant.
(D) Sentencing information, if present in the department’s 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.

SEC. 4.

 Section 13101 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

13101.
 As used in this chapter, “criminal justice agencies” are those agencies at all levels of government which perform as their principal functions, activities which either:
(a) Relate to the apprehension, pretrial release, prosecution, adjudication, incarceration, or correction of criminal offenders; or
(b) Relate to the collection, storage, dissemination or usage of criminal offender record information.

SEC. 5.

 Section 13300 of the Penal Code, as amended by Section 347 of Chapter 615 of the Statutes of 2021, is amended to read:

13300.
 (a) As used in this section:
(1) “Local summary criminal history information” means the master record of information compiled by any local criminal justice agency pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 13100) of Title 3 of Part 4 pertaining to the identification and criminal history of any person, such as name, date of birth, physical description, dates of arrests, arresting agencies and booking numbers, charges, dispositions, and similar data about the person.
(2) “Local summary criminal history information” does not refer to records and data compiled by criminal justice agencies other than that local agency, nor does it refer to records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence information or security procedures of, the local agency.
(3) “Local agency” means a local criminal justice agency.
(b) A local agency shall furnish local summary criminal history information to any of the following, when 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 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 (d) of Section 830.2, subdivisions (a), (b), and (j) of Section 830.3, and subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of Section 830.5.
(3) District attorneys of the state.
(4) Prosecuting city attorneys of any 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 parole, mandatory supervision, or postrelease community supervision revocation or revocation extension hearing, and when authorized access by statutory or decisional law.
(10) Any agency, officer, or official of the state when the local summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, regulation, or ordinance that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the local summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon the specified criminal conduct.
(11) Any city, county, city and county, or district, or any officer or official thereof, when access is needed in order to assist the agency, officer, or official in fulfilling employment, certification, or licensing duties, and when the access is specifically authorized by the city council, board of supervisors, or governing board of the city, county, or district when the local summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, regulation, or ordinance that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the local summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon the specified criminal conduct.
(12) The subject of the local summary criminal history information.
(13) Any person or entity when access is expressly authorized by statute when the local summary criminal history information is required to implement a statute, regulation, or ordinance that expressly refers to specific criminal conduct applicable to the subject person of the local summary criminal history information, and contains requirements or exclusions, or both, expressly based upon the specified criminal conduct.
(14) Any managing or supervising correctional officer of a county jail or other county correctional facility.
(15) Local child support agencies established by Section 17304 of the Family Code. When a local child support agency closes a support enforcement case containing summary criminal history information, the agency shall delete or purge from the file and destroy any 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 the minor children, consistent with Section 17531 of the Family Code.
(16) County child welfare agency personnel who have been delegated the authority of county probation officers to access state summary criminal 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.
(17) A humane officer appointed pursuant to Section 14502 of the Corporations Code, for the purposes of performing the officer’s duties. A local agency may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of providing information pursuant to this paragraph.
(18) County staff performing pretrial release services under Section 1318 or 1318.1.
(c) The local agency may furnish local summary 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 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) Any public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, that operates a nuclear energy facility when access is needed to assist in employing persons to work at the facility, provided that, if the local agency supplies the information, it shall furnish a copy of this information to the person to whom the information relates.
(2) To a peace officer of the state other than those included in subdivision (b).
(3) An animal control officer, authorized to exercise powers specified in Section 830.9, for the purposes of performing the officer’s official duties. A local agency may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of providing information pursuant to this paragraph.
(4) To a peace officer of another country.
(5) To 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 local summary criminal history information is expressly authorized by a statute of the United States, other states, or possessions or territories of the United States when this information is needed for the performance of their official duties.
(6) To any person when disclosure is requested by a probation, parole, or peace officer with the consent of the subject of the local 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) To any individual who is the subject of the record requested when needed in conjunction with an application to enter the United States or any foreign nation.
(10) Any public utility, as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, when access is needed to assist in employing persons who will be seeking entrance to private residences in the course of their employment. The information provided shall be limited to the record of convictions and any arrest for which the person is released on bail or on the person’s own recognizance pending trial.
If the local agency supplies the information pursuant to this paragraph, it shall furnish a copy of the information to the person to whom the information relates.
Any information obtained from the local summary criminal history is confidential and the receiving public utility shall not disclose its contents, other than for the purpose for which it was acquired. The local summary criminal history information in the possession of the public utility and all copies made from it shall be destroyed 30 days after employment is denied or granted, including any appeal periods, except for those cases where an employee or applicant is out on bail or on the person’s own recognizance pending trial, in which case the state summary criminal history information and all copies shall be destroyed 30 days after the case is resolved, including any appeal periods.
A violation of any of the provisions of this paragraph is a misdemeanor, and shall give the employee or applicant who is injured by the violation a cause of action against the public utility to recover damages proximately caused by the violation.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing any duty upon public utilities to request local summary criminal history information on any current or prospective employee.
Seeking entrance to private residences in the course of employment shall be deemed a “compelling need” as required to be shown in this subdivision.
(11) Any city, county, city and county, or district, or any officer or official thereof, if a written request is made to a local law enforcement agency and the information is needed to assist in the screening of a prospective concessionaire, and any affiliate or associate thereof, as these terms are defined in subdivision (k) of Section 432.7 of the Labor Code, for the purposes of consenting to, or approving of, the prospective concessionaire’s application for, or acquisition of, any beneficial interest in a concession, lease, or other property interest.
Any local government’s request for local summary criminal history information for purposes of screening a prospective concessionaire and their affiliates or associates before approving or denying an application for, or acquisition of, any beneficial interest in a concession, lease, or other property interest is deemed a “compelling need” as required by this subdivision. However, only local summary criminal history information pertaining to criminal convictions may be obtained pursuant to this paragraph.
Any information obtained from the local summary criminal history is confidential and the receiving local government shall not disclose its contents, other than for the purpose for which it was acquired. The local summary criminal history information in the possession of the local government and all copies made from it shall be destroyed not more than 30 days after the local government’s final decision to grant or deny consent to, or approval of, the prospective concessionaire’s application for, or acquisition of, a beneficial interest in a concession, lease, or other property interest. Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing any duty upon a local government, or any officer or official thereof, to request local summary criminal history information on any current or prospective concessionaire or their affiliates or associates.
(12) 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.
(13) A treatment provider if disclosure is requested by county staff performing pretrial release services under Sections 1318 and 1318.1, with the consent of the subject of the state summary criminal history, and for purposes of furthering the subject’s compliance with court-ordered conditions of pretrial release or diversion.
(d) Whenever an authorized request for local summary criminal history information pertains to a person whose fingerprints are on file with the local agency and the local agency 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) A local agency taking fingerprints of a person who is an applicant for licensing, employment, or certification may charge a fee to cover the cost of taking the fingerprints and processing the required documents.
(f) Whenever local summary criminal history information furnished pursuant to this section is to be used for employment, licensing, or certification purposes, the local agency shall charge the person or entity making the request a fee that it determines to be sufficient to reimburse the local agency for the cost of furnishing the information, provided that no fee shall be charged to any public law enforcement agency for local summary criminal history information furnished to assist it in employing, licensing, or certifying a person who is applying for employment with the agency as a peace officer or criminal investigator. Any state agency required to pay a fee to the local agency for information received under this section may charge the applicant a fee sufficient to reimburse the agency for the expense.
(g) Whenever there is a conflict, the processing of criminal fingerprints shall take priority over the processing of applicant fingerprints.
(h) It is not a violation of this article to disseminate statistical or research information obtained from a record, provided that the identity of the subject of the record is not disclosed.
(i) It is not a violation of this article 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 when the inclusion of the information in the public record is authorized by a court, statute, or decisional law.
(j) Notwithstanding any other law, a public prosecutor may, in response to a written request made pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 7922.500) and Article 2 (commencing with Section 7922.525) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 10 of Title 1 Section 6253 of the Government Code, provide information from a local summary criminal history, if release of the information would enhance public safety, the interest of justice, or the public’s understanding of the justice system and the person making the request declares that the request is made for a scholarly or journalistic purpose. If a person in a declaration required by this subdivision willfully states as true any material fact that person knows to be false, the person shall be subject to a civil penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The requestor shall be informed in writing of this penalty. An action to impose a civil penalty under this subdivision may be brought by any public prosecutor and shall be enforced as a civil judgment.
(k) Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice or any state or local law enforcement agency may require the submission of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting summary criminal history information record checks that are authorized by law.
(l) Any local criminal justice agency may release, within five years of the arrest, information concerning an arrest or detention of a peace officer or applicant for a position as a peace officer, as defined in Section 830, that did not result in conviction, and for which the person did not complete a postarrest diversion program or a deferred entry of judgment program, to a government agency employer of that peace officer or applicant.
(m) Any local criminal justice agency may release information concerning an arrest of a peace officer or applicant for a position as a peace officer, as defined in Section 830, that did not result in conviction but for which the person completed a postarrest diversion program or a deferred entry of judgment program, or information concerning a referral to and participation in any postarrest diversion program or a deferred entry of judgment program to a government agency employer of that peace officer or applicant.
(n) Notwithstanding subdivision (l) or (m), a local criminal justice agency shall not release information under the following circumstances:
(1) Information concerning an arrest for which diversion or a deferred entry of judgment program has been ordered without attempting to determine whether diversion or a deferred entry of judgment program has been successfully completed.
(2) Information concerning an arrest or detention followed by a dismissal or release without attempting to determine whether the individual was exonerated.
(3) Information concerning an arrest without a disposition without attempting to determine whether diversion has been successfully completed or the individual was exonerated.

SEC. 6.

 The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which amend Section 1318.1 of the Penal Code, imposes a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
Preserving the confidentiality of pretrial records is critical to the success of pretrial services agencies because it ensures that clients are more likely to be candid with pretrial services staff, as has been recognized by the U.S. Congress and federal courts.

SEC. 7.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, 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 XIII B of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation for purposes of clarifying access to pretrial release records.