CA SB524: Law enforcement agencies: artificial intelligence.

In one paragraph

California's SB 524 (Penal Code § 13663) requires every law enforcement agency to have a policy that official reports written fully or partly with AI name each AI program used, state "This report was written either fully or in part using artificial intelligence," and carry the preparer's signature verifying the facts. The AI first draft must be kept as long as the report, agencies must keep an audit trail, and vendors may not share or sell agency data except as allowed. Signed October 10, 2025 (Chapter 587); effective January 1, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Vendors of AI police-report tools may not share, sell or use agency data except for the agency's purposes or a court order (troubleshooting and accuracy work allowed). Agencies must label AI-assisted reports, keep first drafts and keep audit trails.

Key provisions

1. 1Applies to every state or local department or agency that employs peace officers; covered AI means systems that automatically draft police report narratives from in-car, dash-mounted or body-worn camera audio or video, and systems that turn an officer's dictated report into a narrative enhanced by generative AI
2. 2Official reports generated fully or partly with AI must identify every AI program used and prominently state, on each page or within the text: "This report was written either fully or in part using artificial intelligence."
3. 3The officer or agency member who prepared the report must sign it, physically or electronically, verifying they reviewed it and that its facts are true and correct
4. 4The first draft produced by AI must be retained for as long as the official report; AI-created drafts other than the official report are not an officer's statement
5. 5Agencies using AI must keep an audit trail, for as long as the official report, identifying at least the person who used AI to create the report and any video and audio footage used
6. 6Contracted vendors may not share, sell or otherwise use agency information processed by AI except for the agency's purposes or under a court order; they may access AI-processed data for troubleshooting, bias mitigation, accuracy improvement or system refinement
7. 7Signed by the Governor October 10, 2025 (Chapter 587, Statutes of 2025); effective January 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

Oct 10, 2025. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 587, Statutes of 2025.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 49)

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 9)