CA AB655

Background investigations for peace officer candidates must include inquiry into membership in hate groups, participation in hate group activities, or advocacy of public expressions of hate within the past 7 years since age 18.

Hiring agencies must deny employment to candidates who have engaged in hate group membership, hate group activities, or public expressions of hate within the past 7 years, unless the candidate ceased all such activities at least 7 years prior.

Public agencies employing peace officers must investigate complaints alleging that current officers engaged in hate group membership, hate group activities, or public expressions of hate, and must remove any officer with a sustained finding.

Records of sustained complaints regarding hate group activities or public expressions of hate by peace officers are made public and not confidential, with permitted redactions for personal data, witness anonymity, and safety concerns.

Department of Justice must adopt guidelines for investigating and adjudicating hate group-related complaints by public agencies, with exceptions for undercover assignments and bona fide academic or journalistic research.