Legislation

As the courts have become increasingly political, we cannot always rely on them to advance or protect our civil liberties. Therefore, the role of our legislative program has become even more vital. A strong presence in Sacramento through the ACLU California Action enables us to stop or amend laws and policies hostile to civil liberties before it becomes necessary to convince a court to rule a statute unconstitutional.

The ACLU California Action lobbies the legislature, analyzes proposed legislation, drafts and presents testimony, contacts legislative offices, and stimulates grassroots contact with legislators.

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Jul 23, 2020
AB 1007
School police overlooking students at football practice
Jul 23, 2020
AB 1007

P.R.O.M.I.S.E Act (AB 1007)

Education Equity
Position: Support
Status: Inactive

The Promoting Reinvestment and Oversight Measures for Individual Success and Empowerment (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.) Act will ensure the effective investment of Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) grant...

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Jul 15, 2020
SB 731
A man at a protest against police violence holding his hands in the air.
Jul 15, 2020
SB 731

Decertify Abusive Police and Strengthen Civil Liability for Police Violence (SB 731)

Police Practices
Position: Support
Status: Active

Addressing police violence requires re-examining the role of police in our society and re-imagining how to advance public safety by investing in resources for economic development, affordable housing,...

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Jun 2, 2020
ACA 6
A man holding a sign that reads: "Let Me Vote." Photo credit: Dorsey Nunn by Gigi Pandian, Let Me Vote Aug. 2014
Jun 2, 2020
ACA 6

Free the Vote for Californians on Parole (ACA 6)

Freedom of Speech and Government Transparency
Position: Support
Status: Passed both chambers

Our democracy is rooted in the idea that everyone's voice matters. But right now, nearly 50,000 Californians on parole are unable to vote in local, state, or federal elections.

Voter suppression...

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Jun 2, 2020
AB 2054
Three people sitting around a table at a community event working together.
Jun 2, 2020
AB 2054

The C.R.I.S.E.S. Act (AB 2054)

Police Practices
Position: Support
Status: Active
In a time of crisis, CA has the opportunity to invest in community-led interventions proven more effective in impact and cost. Across CA, community organizations have been effectively responding to emergency...
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May 21, 2020
AB 2261
A simulation of facial recognition technology: a photograph of a woman on a public bus wearing a mask with graphics overlayed indicating that the software is scanning her face.
May 21, 2020
AB 2261

Prevent Expansion of Facial Recognition Tech (Oppose AB 2261)

Privacy and Surveillance
Position: Oppose
Status: Inactive
Face recognition is an inherently authoritarian technology that makes all of us less safe and less free. AB 2261 is opposed by the ACLU of California and a wide coalition of civil rights organizations because...
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May 20, 2020
AB 3216
A woman at the hospital bedside of a man
May 20, 2020
AB 3216

Protect Essential Workers, Expand Access to Paid Leave (AB 3216)

Gender Equity and Reproductive Justice
Position: Support
Status: Active
AB 3216 addresses the urgent need to enable California to recover from COVID-19, prevent recurring outbreaks, and move toward economic recovery by allowing workers to care for themselves and their families. AB...
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