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Committee passes SB 734 to insulate employment actions from Racial Justice Act findings without changing defendants’ remedies
Summary
SB 734 would prevent judicial findings under the California Racial Justice Act from being used directly in post‑employment decertification or discipline of law enforcement officers, while leaving agency investigations and decertification processes intact.
The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 734, authored by Senator Caballero, a measure that seeks to ensure law enforcement officers receive procedural protections in employment and decertification proceedings arising from findings in California Racial Justice Act (CRJA) hearings.
Senator Caballero told the committee the bill does not alter defendants’ ability to bring CRJA claims or change remedies available under that law. Rather, SB 734 would prohibit using the judicial findings from a CRJA hearing as the sole basis for administrative employment actions or post‑certification decertification without affording the officer separate procedural protections. "If you're going to take away the livelihood of an individual, they should have the due process rights that are afforded to everyone in terms of employment setting," the senator said.
Representatives of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and other law enforcement organizations supported the bill, arguing it preserves separate forums and ensures officers can defend allegations in employment and certification processes. PORAC representatives said the bill follows precedents that separate criminal/judicial findings and administrative disciplinary processes.
Supporters included the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, California District Attorneys Association, and California Police Chiefs Association. No witnesses testified in opposition during the hearing.
A motion by Assemblymember Winn, seconded by Assemblymember Lackey, carried on roll call and the committee referred SB 734 to the Appropriations Committee.
The committee’s recorded action: motion to pass SB 734 carried; measure advanced to Appropriations.
