SB 1210 California Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Gang databases.

Summary

Existing law, the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act (act) , provides specified punishments for certain crimes committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang, as specified. The act defines a "shared gang database" as a database accessed by a law enforcement agency that designates a person as a gang member or associate, or includes or points to information, including, but not limited to, fact-based or uncorroborated information, that reflects a designation of that person as a gang member or associate that is accessed by an agency or person outside of the agency that created the records that populate the database. Existing law requires the Department of Justice to regulate and oversee any shared gang databases in which California law enforcement agencies, participate, as specified. This bill would remove the term "shared gang database" and make the provisions under the act applicable to all gang databases, regardless of whether a gang database is accessed by an agency or person outside of the agency that created the database. The bill would make specified regulations applicable to all gang databases beginning on January 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action May 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

03/25/26 - Amended Senate → SB1210 · 2 edits

MINOR

This diff reflects a reformatting of SB 1210 from a traditional printed legislative document layout (with line numbers, page markers, and column formatting) to a web-based presentation format. The substantive policy content of the bill - which expands gang database regulations from 'shared gang databases' to all gang databases effective January 1, 2027 - is unchanged between the two versions.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted from a printed legislative document with line numbers and page markers into a web-based layout with navigation elements (home, accessibility, FAQ, etc.). No substantive policy language was altered.

The fiscal committee designation is presented differently: the old version showed 'Fiscal committee: no yes' (indicating an amendment from no to yes), while the new version shows 'Fiscal Committee: NOYES.' The underlying information is the same.

02/19/26 - Introduced → 03/25/26 - Amended Senate · 12 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MAJOR

SB 1210 was dramatically expanded from a single technical fix to a women's health statute into a comprehensive overhaul of California gang database law under the STEPS Act. The amended bill creates new individual rights (notice, access, contestation, and court review) for people listed in gang databases, expands Department of Justice regulatory authority over all gang databases (not just shared ones) effective January 1, 2027, establishes a Gang Database Technical Advisory Committee, and imposes purge and moratorium requirements on existing database entries. The original women's health technical amendment is retained but moved to the end of the bill.

SCOPE

The bill now amends Penal Code Sections 186.34, 186.35, and 186.36 in addition to Health and Safety Code Section 137, expanding scope from a single technical fix to a full regulatory framework for gang databases.

Beginning January 1, 2027, Department of Justice regulations that previously applied only to shared gang databases will apply to ALL gang databases, regardless of whether they are accessed by outside agencies or persons.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'gang database' (any law enforcement database designating a person as a gang member or associate) is created separately from the existing 'shared gang database' definition (one accessed by outside agencies), establishing a two-tier system.

REQUIREMENT

Local law enforcement agencies must provide written notice to a person (and parent/guardian if under 18) when they are designated in a shared gang database, describing the basis for designation and the process to contest it. Exceptions apply if notice would compromise an active investigation or a minor's health/safety.

Persons may submit written requests to law enforcement agencies to learn whether they are listed in a shared gang database and the basis for the designation. Agencies must respond in writing within 30 calendar days.

DOJ must instruct agencies to purge records based on unsupported criteria including jail classification, frequenting gang neighborhoods, or untested informants. A moratorium on shared gang databases remains in effect until the Attorney General certifies the purge is complete.

DOJ must publish an annual report on the CalGang database including demographic data (race, gender, age) by ZIP Code and referring agency, numbers of additions, removal requests granted/denied, petition outcomes, and audit results. The report must be posted online and public comments invited.

ENFORCEMENT

New Section 186.35 creates a court petition process allowing a person (or parent/guardian/attorney) to challenge a denial of removal from a shared gang database. The court conducts de novo review and orders removal if the agency fails to establish active gang membership by clear and convincing evidence. Petitions must be filed within 90 calendar days.

DOJ may enforce violations through letters of censure, temporary suspension of access, or revocation of access to the shared gang database system. Access must be suspended or revoked for individuals who share database information for employment/military screening or federal immigration enforcement purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

Two categories of databases are exempt from the new provisions: (1) databases using only criminal offender record information or Section 186.30 information, and (2) databases accessed solely by jail or custodial facility staff for classification or operational decisions.

FISCAL

A Gang Database Technical Advisory Committee is established with 11 members including the Attorney General, district attorney and public defender association presidents, gang violence intervention representatives, immigration services representatives, civil rights organizations, a person with personal experience of gang labeling, and law enforcement association presidents.

TECHNICAL

The original women's health amendment to Health and Safety Code Section 137 is retained with a minor technical change: 'State Department of Public Health' is replaced with 'department' in subdivision (b).

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

May 14 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

upper

Apr 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 3983.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Com. on RLS.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors