California Values Act: exception.

Assembly Member Sanchez's proposal to modify California's Values Act carves out a new exception allowing law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations and enforcement activities related to sex trafficking cases, while maintaining core restrictions on immigration enforcement cooperation.

The California Values Act currently prohibits state law enforcement agencies from using resources for immigration enforcement purposes, with limited exceptions for judicial warrants and human trafficking cases. Under the proposed amendment, agencies could perform duties within their jurisdiction involving individuals alleged to have committed or previously convicted of sex trafficking violations, without violating the Act's broader limitations on immigration enforcement activities.

The bill preserves existing oversight mechanisms, requiring law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports to the Department of Justice detailing their participation in joint task forces and any resulting arrests. These records remain subject to the California Public Records Act, though agencies may redact information that could compromise investigations or individual safety. The Attorney General must compile and publicly post annual reports summarizing task force arrests, including those related to immigration enforcement.