AB-1337
Consumer Protection

Information Practices Act of 1977.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands California's Information Practices Act to cover local government agencies and strengthen privacy protections.
  • Broadens the definition of personal information to include biometric, genetic, and neural data.
  • Requires agencies to notify residents when their unencrypted personal data is breached.
  • Makes both intentional and negligent privacy violations by agency employees grounds for termination.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Member Ward's privacy legislation expands California's Information Practices Act to encompass local government agencies and broadens protections for personal data. The bill removes existing exemptions for counties, cities, school districts and other local public agencies, requiring them to follow the same data privacy standards as state entities.

The legislation updates the definition of personal information to include modern data types like neural data, precise geolocation information, biometric identifiers, and genetic information. Agencies must limit their use of personal information to originally stated purposes unless otherwise required by law. The bill also mandates that agencies establish data handling protocols aligned with state information security standards.

Under the amended provisions, both intentional and negligent privacy violations by agency employees constitute grounds for discipline, including potential termination. The bill eliminates the requirement that unauthorized disclosures of medical, psychiatric or psychological information must result in economic loss or personal injury to be punishable as misdemeanors. Agencies must notify California residents of data breaches "in the most expedient time possible," with specific requirements for notices affecting more than 500 individuals.

The measure requires agencies to maintain detailed records of information sources and data disclosures, while establishing strict conditions under which personal information can be shared. District attorneys may petition courts to compel disclosure of information when agencies fail to respond to requests within 10 working days. The legislation includes provisions for reimbursing local agencies for state-mandated costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Chris Ward
Chris WardD
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120315PASS

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Expands California's Information Practices Act to cover local government agencies and strengthen privacy protections.
  • Broadens the definition of personal information to include biometric, genetic, and neural data.
  • Requires agencies to notify residents when their unencrypted personal data is breached.
  • Makes both intentional and negligent privacy violations by agency employees grounds for termination.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Chris Ward
Chris WardD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Ward's privacy legislation expands California's Information Practices Act to encompass local government agencies and broadens protections for personal data. The bill removes existing exemptions for counties, cities, school districts and other local public agencies, requiring them to follow the same data privacy standards as state entities.

The legislation updates the definition of personal information to include modern data types like neural data, precise geolocation information, biometric identifiers, and genetic information. Agencies must limit their use of personal information to originally stated purposes unless otherwise required by law. The bill also mandates that agencies establish data handling protocols aligned with state information security standards.

Under the amended provisions, both intentional and negligent privacy violations by agency employees constitute grounds for discipline, including potential termination. The bill eliminates the requirement that unauthorized disclosures of medical, psychiatric or psychological information must result in economic loss or personal injury to be punishable as misdemeanors. Agencies must notify California residents of data breaches "in the most expedient time possible," with specific requirements for notices affecting more than 500 individuals.

The measure requires agencies to maintain detailed records of information sources and data disclosures, while establishing strict conditions under which personal information can be shared. District attorneys may petition courts to compel disclosure of information when agencies fail to respond to requests within 10 working days. The legislation includes provisions for reimbursing local agencies for state-mandated costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

April 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120315PASS

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member