Law enforcement: settlement agreements: prohibition.

Assembly Member Bryan's proposal to modify California's law enforcement settlement practices would prohibit agencies from entering confidential settlement agreements with peace officers who have pending misconduct complaints. The measure adds new provisions to the state's Penal Code governing how law enforcement agencies resolve disciplinary matters involving officers under investigation.

The legislation builds upon California's existing peace officer oversight framework, which includes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's certification program and complaint investigation procedures. Under current law, the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division within the commission handles certification suspension and revocation proceedings. The new provisions would specifically address settlement agreements, barring any terms that require agencies to maintain confidentiality about officer misconduct when complaints are pending.

The measure establishes straightforward compliance requirements without creating new administrative bodies or requiring additional funding. Law enforcement agencies would need to modify their settlement practices to ensure transparency in cases involving officers with active misconduct complaints. While the bill does not specify enforcement mechanisms, oversight would likely fall under the existing authority of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.