Bill > SB701

This bill adds a new section to the California Penal Code that comprehensively regulates signal jammers, which are devices that intentionally block or interfere with radio or wireless communications. The bill makes it an infraction (a minor offense) to manufacture, import, market, purchase, sell, or operate a signal jammer without authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with a first offense punishable by a fine up to $500 and subsequent offenses becoming misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. The legislation creates additional criminal penalties for operating a signal jammer while committing another crime, which would be a misdemeanor, and establishes more serious potential criminal charges if a signal jammer is used to block public safety communications in a way that knowingly risks or actually causes death or great bodily injury. The bill requires forfeiture of the signal jamming device upon conviction and explicitly exempts authorized law enforcement uses. By creating these new legal provisions, the bill aims to prevent unauthorized interference with critical communications infrastructure and protect public safety, while aligning state law with existing federal regulations concerning communication interference.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB701