Bill > AB451

This bill requires municipal police departments, county sheriff's departments, the California Highway Patrol, and university police departments to develop comprehensive written policies for serving and enforcing court protection and restraining orders by January 1, 2027. The policies must ensure timely and consistent service of various types of restraining orders (such as civil harassment, domestic violence, and workplace violence orders) and include specific protocols for firearm relinquishment. Law enforcement officers will be required to take immediate steps when serving these orders, including: requesting the restrained person to surrender firearms and prohibited items, completing proof of service and relinquishment forms, updating relevant databases, and following up to confirm compliance. The bill mandates that officers provide clear guidance to restrained persons about how to legally transfer firearms within 24-48 hours, warn about potential penalties for non-compliance, and develop processes to proactively identify and respond to individuals who remain illegally armed. The agencies must make these policies publicly available and are encouraged to consult with domestic violence experts and other stakeholders during policy development. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill creates state-mandated local program costs, local agencies will be eligible for reimbursement.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB451