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Council opposes Senate Bill 158 as introduced, asks for local-control amendments for library security officers
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council on June 6 voted to oppose Senate Bill 158 as introduced but indicated support if the bill is amended to require local ordinance authority and a memorandum of understanding with LAPD before library security officers receive elevated peace-officer status.
The Los Angeles City Council on June 6 adopted a position opposing Senate Bill 158 as introduced while signaling support if the measure is amended to preserve local control. Council members said they would not back a state-level grant of elevated peace-officer status for library security officers unless two safeguards are added: a local ordinance requirement and a memorandum of understanding with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Councilmember Goldberg, who led the discussion in committee, said the council's recommendation is to "oppose unless amended" so that any new authority would remain subject to local action and an operational agreement with LAPD. "That way, we have two ways of local control," Goldberg said, adding she opposed arming library security but was willing to consider a limited peace-officer status if local requirements were in place.
The council heard from Tanya Maria Rosario of the Chief Legislative Analyst's office, who said the analyst's Sacramento staff recommended amending SB 158 to include a memorandum of agreement between the city and the library. The council discussed prior efforts and similar legislation that previously required local implementing documents.
Supporters of the amendment approach said requiring a local ordinance and an MOU would allow the city to set training, oversight and arrest policies appropriate to local practice; opponents warned that the bill as drafted would reduce local control and cede decision-making to the state.
After debate the council approved the formal position to oppose SB 158 unless amended to include the two local-control provisions. The roll call on the item recorded 14 ayes.
Why it matters: SB 158 would expand the legal authority available to library security staff statewide. Council members said the city must retain the ability to determine whether and how to grant limited peace-officer status, and under what conditions, including MOU terms with LAPD.
Next steps: The council's resolution opposing SB 158 as drafted will be transmitted to Sacramento with a request that the bill be amended to preserve local ordinance authority and require a memorandum of understanding with LAPD before any peace-officer functions are enacted.
