AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 21, 2026
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 19, 2026
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
97
Introduced by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins
February 20, 2026
An act to amend add Section 25303.7 of 7286.1 to the Government Code, relating to local government. law enforcement.
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal committee: yes Local program: yes
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
Existing law requires each law enforcement agency, on or before January 1, 2021, to maintain a policy that provides a minimum standard on the use of force. Existing law requires that the policy include, among other things, training standards and requirements relating to demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the law enforcement agency’s use of force policy by officers, investigators, and supervisors. Existing law prohibits a law enforcement agency from authorizing the use of a carotid restraint or choke hold by any peace officer employed by that agency.
This bill would prohibit a law enforcement agency, including a federal law enforcement agency, from using a wearable electroshock device within the State of California. The bill would also prohibit a state or local law enforcement agency from using state funds to purchase a wearable electroshock device. The bill would require a state or local law enforcement agency to update their use of force policies to prohibit the use of a wearable electroshock device. By increasing the duties on local law enforcement, the 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
This bill would authorize a county, either by action of the board of supervisors or through a vote of county residents, to establish an office of the inspector general to assist the board of supervisors with these duties as they relate to the county animal control department or the office of chief probation, as defined.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 7286.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:
7286.1.
(a) A law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 7289, shall not use a wearable electroshock device, as defined in Section 13660 of the Penal Code, within the State of California.
(b) A law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 7286.5, shall not use state funds to purchase a wearable electroshock device.
(c) Law enforcement agencies, as defined in Section 7286.5, shall update their use of force policies to prohibit the use of a wearable electroshock device.
(d) For the purposes of this section, “wearable” includes any clothing or accessory item.
SEC. 2.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains 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 25303.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:
25303.7.
(a) (1) A county may create a sheriff oversight board, either by action of the board of supervisors or through a vote of county residents, comprised of civilians to assist the board of supervisors with its duties required pursuant to Section 25303 that relate to the sheriff.
(2) The members of the sheriff oversight board shall be appointed by the board of supervisors. The board of supervisors shall designate one member to serve as the chairperson of the board.
(3) The members of the oversight board shall have access to the personnel records of peace officers and custodial officers required for the performance of the commission’s oversight duties. The oversight board shall maintain the confidentiality of these records consistent with Section 832.7 of the Penal Code.
(b) (1) The chair of the sheriff oversight board shall issue a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum in accordance with Sections 1985 to 1985.4, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure whenever the board deems it necessary or important to examine the following:
(A) Any person as a witness upon any subject matter within the jurisdiction of the board.
(B) Any officer of the county in relation to the discharge of their official duties on behalf of the sheriff’s department.
(C) Any books, papers, or documents in the possession of or under the control of a person or officer relating to the affairs of the sheriff’s department.
(2) A subpoena shall be served in accordance with Sections 1987 and 1988 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(3) (A) If a witness fails to attend, or in the case of a subpoena duces tecum, if an item is not produced as set forth therein, the chair or the chair authorized deputy issuing the subpoena upon proof of service thereof may certify the facts to the superior court in the county of the board.
(B) The court shall thereupon issue an order directing the person to appear before the court and show cause why they should not be ordered to comply with the subpoena. The order and a copy of the certified statement shall be served on the person and the court shall have jurisdiction of the matter.
(C) The same proceedings shall be had, the same penalties imposed, and the person charged may purge themself of the contempt in the same way as in a case of a person who has committed a contempt in the trial of a civil action before a superior court.
(4) A sheriff oversight board may conduct closed sessions, consistent with Section 54957, to review confidential records obtained under this section or otherwise related to its oversight duties, if those sessions comply with applicable confidentiality laws, including, but not limited to, Section 832.7 of the Penal Code.
(c) (1) A county, through action of the board of supervisors or vote by county residents, may establish an office of the inspector general, appointed by the board of supervisors, to assist the board of supervisors with its duties required pursuant to Section 25303 that relate to any of the following:
(A) The sheriff.
(B) The county animal control department, as defined in Section 31606 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(C) The office of chief probation appointed in accordance with Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 27770) of Part 3.
(2) The inspector general shall have the independent authority to issue a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum subject to the procedure provided in subdivision (b).
(3) The inspector general shall have access to the personnel records of peace officers and custodial officers required for the performance of the inspector general’s oversight duties. The inspector general shall maintain the confidentiality of these records consistent with Section 832.7 of the Penal Code.
(d) The exercise of powers under this section or other investigative functions performed by a board of supervisors, sheriff oversight board, or inspector general vested with oversight responsibility for the sheriff shall not be considered to obstruct the investigative functions of the sheriff.