Law enforcement policies: restraining orders.

Assembly Member Petrie-Norris's legislation requires California law enforcement agencies to establish standardized protocols for handling court protection and restraining orders that restrict firearm access. The measure directs municipal police departments, county sheriff's departments, the California Highway Patrol, and university police departments to develop and implement written policies by January 2027 covering order service, firearm relinquishment procedures, and compliance monitoring.

The policies must detail specific steps officers take when serving orders, including completing proof of service documentation within one business day and updating state databases. When serving orders, officers must request immediate surrender of firearms and prohibited items, provide receipts for relinquished weapons, and verify whether additional firearms remain in the restrained person's possession. For cases where immediate relinquishment is not possible, agencies must establish procedures for individuals to surrender weapons within 24 hours and provide documentation within 48 hours.

The measure requires agencies to create processes for identifying and responding to restrained persons who maintain illegal firearm possession. Available enforcement actions include facilitating voluntary compliance, executing search warrants, notifying relevant authorities, and making arrests when warranted. Agencies must make their policies publicly available and post information online about order service and firearm relinquishment procedures. The bill encourages consultation with domestic violence service providers, gun violence prevention experts, courts, and the Department of Justice during policy development.