Law enforcement: immigration enforcement.

Senator Jones and eight co-authors have proposed legislation requiring California law enforcement agencies to share certain information with federal immigration authorities, marking a shift from the current discretionary approach under the California Values Act.

The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies provide release date information to immigration authorities when requested, but only for individuals convicted of specified serious crimes. These qualifying offenses include violent felonies, sexual crimes, gang-related activities, human trafficking, and weapons violations. The legislation maintains existing prohibitions on using agency resources for immigration enforcement purposes, such as investigating immigration status or making arrests based on civil immigration warrants.

Under the proposed changes, law enforcement agencies must participate in joint task forces with federal authorities and submit annual reports to the Department of Justice detailing arrests made during these operations. The reports must include the task force's purpose, participating agencies, total arrests, and the number of immigration-related arrests. These records would be publicly accessible through the California Public Records Act, though sensitive information affecting investigations or personal safety may be redacted. Local agencies would receive state reimbursement for costs associated with these new requirements through the Commission on State Mandates.