Bill Text: CA SB296 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Senate Bill 296 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Code enforcement officers: safety standards.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-10-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 637, Statutes of 2021. [SB296 Detail]

Download: California-2021-SB296-Chaptered.html

Senate Bill No. 296

CHAPTER 637

An act to add Section 829.7 to the Penal Code, relating to code enforcement officers.

[ Approved by Governor October 07, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State October 07, 2021. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 296, Limón. Code enforcement officers: safety standards.

Existing law defines the term “code enforcement officer” as a person who is not a peace officer, who has enforcement authority for health, safety, and welfare requirements, and who is authorized to issue citations or file formal complaints, as specified.

This bill would require each local jurisdiction that employs code enforcement officers to develop safety standards appropriate for the code enforcement officers employed in their jurisdiction. By imposing new duties on local jurisdictions, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

The Legislature finds and declares that code enforcement officers are disproportionately at risk for threat, assault, injury, and even homicide due to the nature of their obligations.

SEC. 2.

Section 829.7 is added to the Penal Code, immediately following Section 829.5, to read:

829.7.

Each local jurisdiction that employs code enforcement officers shall develop code enforcement officer safety standards appropriate for the code enforcement officers employed in their jurisdiction.

SEC. 3.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.