SB-385
Education

Peace officers.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Removes the requirement for state commission approval of police officer education standards.
  • Maintains the development of a modern policing degree program by California Community Colleges.
  • Allows credit for military and law enforcement experience toward employment requirements.
  • Recommends financial aid for students from historically underserved communities pursuing police careers.

Summary

Senators Seyarto and Wahab's proposal to modify California's peace officer education requirements would eliminate the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's mandate to approve and adopt education criteria based on recommendations from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

The legislation maintains existing requirements for the Chancellor's Office to develop a modern policing degree program in consultation with law enforcement stakeholders, California State University representatives, and community organizations. This program must incorporate courses in psychology, communications, history, ethnic studies, law, and other subjects that develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence. The program guidelines include provisions for candidates with prior law enforcement, postsecondary education, or relevant military experience to satisfy portions of employment eligibility requirements.

The bill retains language requiring both the modern policing degree and a bachelor's degree in any discipline as minimum education requirements for peace officer employment. It also preserves recommendations for financial assistance to students from historically underserved communities facing barriers to higher education access. As an urgency measure, the legislation would take effect immediately upon enactment, with authors citing the need to address law enforcement recruitment pressures through clarified degree requirements.

Key Dates

Next Step
Assembly Floor
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Assembly Floor
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB385 Seyarto et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 82 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 17
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
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Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jesse GabrielD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
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Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-992
Peace officers.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-1122
Peace officers: educational requirements.
February 2024
Failed
AB-852
Peace officers.
February 2023
Failed
Peace officers: minimum qualifications.
December 2020
Passed
Showing 4 of 4 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Kelly Seyarto
Kelly SeyartoR
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Removes the requirement for state commission approval of police officer education standards.
  • Maintains the development of a modern policing degree program by California Community Colleges.
  • Allows credit for military and law enforcement experience toward employment requirements.
  • Recommends financial aid for students from historically underserved communities pursuing police careers.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Kelly Seyarto
Kelly SeyartoR
California State Senator

Summary

Senators Seyarto and Wahab's proposal to modify California's peace officer education requirements would eliminate the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's mandate to approve and adopt education criteria based on recommendations from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

The legislation maintains existing requirements for the Chancellor's Office to develop a modern policing degree program in consultation with law enforcement stakeholders, California State University representatives, and community organizations. This program must incorporate courses in psychology, communications, history, ethnic studies, law, and other subjects that develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence. The program guidelines include provisions for candidates with prior law enforcement, postsecondary education, or relevant military experience to satisfy portions of employment eligibility requirements.

The bill retains language requiring both the modern policing degree and a bachelor's degree in any discipline as minimum education requirements for peace officer employment. It also preserves recommendations for financial assistance to students from historically underserved communities facing barriers to higher education access. As an urgency measure, the legislation would take effect immediately upon enactment, with authors citing the need to address law enforcement recruitment pressures through clarified degree requirements.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Assembly Floor
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Assembly Floor
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB385 Seyarto et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 9, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 82 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 17
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jesse GabrielD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-992
Peace officers.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-1122
Peace officers: educational requirements.
February 2024
Failed
AB-852
Peace officers.
February 2023
Failed
Peace officers: minimum qualifications.
December 2020
Passed
Showing 4 of 4 items
Page 1 of 1