Bill > AB528

This bill amends California's Penal Code to modify how child pornography evidence is handled during criminal proceedings. The bill strictly limits who can access such evidence and prohibits anyone, including defendants, attorneys, or experts, from copying, photographing, or reproducing child pornography materials. Instead, the prosecution must make the evidence reasonably available for inspection and examination at their office, a law enforcement facility, or a court facility. Victims and their attorneys will be granted reasonable access to view evidence depicting them, but they are also prohibited from copying or reproducing the materials. The bill ensures that all child pornography evidence remains under the care and control of law enforcement, prosecution, or the court. Because the bill creates new requirements for local agencies, it is considered a state-mandated local program, which means if the Commission on State Mandates determines there are additional costs, the state will reimburse local agencies for those expenses. The primary goal appears to be protecting the privacy and preventing potential further distribution of child pornography evidence during legal proceedings.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB528