CA AB2042

Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training must develop comprehensive guidelines for law enforcement use of canines by July 1, 2026.

Guidelines must establish that canine deployment requires reasonable belief based on totality of circumstances that deployment is proportional to offense seriousness or perceived threat level.

Guidelines must include requirements for unleashed canine arrests/apprehensions, generally prohibit canine use for crowd control at assemblies/protests/demonstrations, and establish procedures to minimize harm to innocent bystanders.

Law enforcement agencies with canine units must adopt policies complying with the commission's guidelines by July 1, 2027.

Bill becomes operative only if Assembly Bill 3241 of the 2023–24 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective by January 1, 2025.