In one paragraph
California's AB 1215 added Penal Code § 832.19, which barred law enforcement agencies and officers from installing, activating or using any biometric surveillance system, such as facial recognition, in connection with an officer camera (a body-worn camera or similar device) or its data, including by having another agency or a third party run it for them. Anyone could sue for equitable or declaratory relief. The section was repealed by its own terms on January 1, 2023, so the ban is no longer in effect. Signed October 8, 2019 (Chapter 579); effective January 1, 2020.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
No longer in effect: the ban expired January 1, 2023. From 2020 through 2022 it barred California police from using facial recognition or other biometric surveillance with officer body cameras or their data, including through third parties; it set no duties for businesses.
Key provisions
- Penal Code § 832.19(b): a law enforcement agency or officer shall not install, activate or use any biometric surveillance system in connection with an officer camera or data collected by an officer camera
- Biometric surveillance system: any software or application that performs facial recognition or other biometric surveillance, meaning automated or semiautomated processes that capture or analyze biometric data to identify a person, or generate surveillance information from biometric data
- Use included asking another law enforcement agency or a third party to use such a system on the agency's behalf; officer camera meant a body-worn camera or similar device attached to or carried by an officer
- Covered agencies included police and sheriff's departments, district attorneys, probation departments, transit and school district police, UC, CSU and community college police, the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice
- Any person could bring an action for equitable or declaratory relief against a violating agency or officer, in addition to other remedies
- Exempt: redaction tools that generate or retain no biometric data or surveillance information, and lawful mobile fingerprint scanning during a detention to identify a person without ID if no biometric data or surveillance information is retained
- The section remained in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date was repealed
- Signed October 8, 2019 (Chapter 579, Statutes of 2019); effective January 1, 2020; expired January 1, 2023
Latest legislative action
Oct 8, 2019. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 579, Statutes of 2019.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Philip Ting D | Sponsor | HD-019 |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 5)
A AB 1215 Ting Concurrence in Senate Amendments Sep 12, 2019
47 yea21 nay11 otherPassed
S Assembly 3rd Reading AB1215 Ting By Bradford Sep 11, 2019
22 yea15 nay3 otherPassed
S Do pass Jun 11, 2019
5 yea2 nayPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error