AB 268

  • California Assembly Bill
  • 2021-2022 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Assembly
  • Passed Assembly May 27, 2021
  • Senate
  • Governor

Courts: sealing records: autopsy reports.

Abstract

Existing law requires a court to seal the autopsy report and evidence associated with the examination of the victim, upon request of a qualifying family member, when a child was killed as a result of a criminal act and a person has been convicted and sentenced for the commission of that criminal act, or a person has been found to have committed that offense by the juvenile court and adjudged a ward of the juvenile court. Existing law defines "qualifying family member" for this purpose as a biological or adoptive parent, spouse, or legal guardian. This bill would require the court, upon the request of a qualifying family member, to seal the autopsy report and any evidence associated with the examination of a victim, of any age, who was killed as a result of a criminal act when the above conditions apply or when a prosecutorial agency has concluded all persons who could have been prosecuted for the criminal act have died. The bill would authorize the court to review in camera any official information in the possession of a public agency, including the autopsy report and evidence associated with the examination, that is necessary to evaluate the request. The bill would also include within the definition of "qualifying family member" the victim's next of kin, personal representative, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner. The bill would exclude from the definition of a "victim who was killed as a result of a criminal act" a person who was killed by the use of force against them by a peace officer or custodial officer. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.

Bill Sponsors (3)

Votes


Actions


Mar 07, 2022

Senate

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  • Amendment-Introduction
  • Amendment-Passage
  • Reading-1
  • Reading-2
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on PUB. S.

Jun 29, 2021

Senate

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

Jun 09, 2021

Senate

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

  • Referral-Committee
Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

May 28, 2021

Senate

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

May 27, 2021

Assembly

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 1626.)

May 24, 2021

Assembly

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

May 20, 2021

Assembly

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 20).

May 05, 2021

Assembly

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  • Referral-Committee
APPR APPR. suspense file.

Apr 26, 2021

Assembly

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on APPR.

Apr 07, 2021

Assembly

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 6). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on P. & C.P.

Assembly

Coauthors revised.

Mar 01, 2021

Assembly

Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on PUB. S.

Feb 25, 2021

Assembly

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

Jan 28, 2021

Assembly

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and P. & C.P.

  • Referral-Committee
Coms. on PUB. S. and P. & C.P.

Jan 16, 2021

Assembly

From printer. May be heard in committee February 15.

Jan 15, 2021

Assembly

Read first time. To print.

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
AB268 HTML
01/15/21 - Introduced PDF
02/25/21 - Amended Assembly PDF
03/07/22 - Amended Senate PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
04/05/21- Assembly Public Safety PDF
04/17/21- Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection PDF
05/03/21- Assembly Appropriations PDF
05/24/21- ASSEMBLY FLOOR ANALYSIS PDF
06/27/21- Senate Public Safety PDF

Sources

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