Bill > AB1627

This bill clarifies state public employment rules in California by explicitly stating that existing laws disqualifying individuals with a history of law enforcement misconduct from serving as peace officers—which are law enforcement officers with broad powers of arrest—also apply to individuals who engage in federal civil or criminal immigration enforcement, meaning any efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist with federal laws regarding immigration status, entry, or employment. Contextually, the legislation stems from legislative findings expressing concern that federal immigration enforcement practices, particularly by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conflict with California's standards for community trust and professional accountability, leading the state to ensure that individuals with a background in such immigration enforcement are barred from joining California’s state and local law enforcement ranks. Additionally, the bill includes provisions ensuring that its parts are severable if any portion is legally challenged, declares that peace officer qualifications are a matter of statewide concern that overrides local municipal rules, and coordinates with another potential piece of legislation, Assembly Bill 1896, to ensure proper integration of code amendments.