Senate Leader Atkins Addresses Next Steps on AB 931

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on Assembly Bill 931 by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego):

“AB 931 has sparked one of the most urgently important debates of this legislative session.

“California’s current use-of-force standard is outdated and unconstitutional. It must be modified in a way that reduces preventable deaths and restores the public trust while balancing the ability of law enforcement to adequately protect the public safety.

“As the bill has moved through the legislative process, the author has worked diligently and in good faith with her colleagues and stakeholders to reach a workable consensus.

“Unfortunately, the legislative calendar does not provide the necessary time to clearly resolve the concerns that need to be addressed for the bill to pass the two legislative houses and get to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Therefore, we are holding the bill this year and will resume discussions this fall.

“Make no mistake: we have a critical problem that remains unaddressed. We need to end preventable deaths and to do so without jeopardizing the safety of law enforcement officers. I know that this is what the author, my friend, Assemblymember Shirley Weber is committed to achieve. I too am committed to this work from now until we return for the next legislative session to get this right and have a bill before the legislature in January that will make California a model for the rest of the country.”

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