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<ns0:Id>20250AB__154499INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-01-05</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Krell</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Krell</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 409.7 of the Penal Code, relating to media access. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>media access</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Court proceedings: media access.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law authorizes specified peace officers to close the immediate area surrounding any emergency field command post or other command post or to establish a police line or rolling closure at a demonstration, march, protest, or rally, as specified. Existing law exempts a duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from the provisions prohibiting entry into the closed areas mentioned above.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would bar a judicial officer, peace officer, or other law enforcement officer from prohibiting a duly authorized representative of a news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from accessing court proceedings that are open to the public. The bill would make a violation of that provision subject to civil penalties, as
specified.</html:p>
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<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 409.7 of the
<ns0:DocName>Penal Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>409.7.</ns0:Num>
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(a)
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If peace officers, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, close the immediate area surrounding any emergency field command post or any other command post, or establish a police line, or rolling closure at a demonstration, march, protest, or rally where individuals are engaged in activity that is protected pursuant to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I of the California Constitution, the following requirements shall apply:
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<html:p>
(1)
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A duly authorized representative of a news service, online news service,
newspaper, or radio or television station or network may enter the closed areas described in this section.
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(2)
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A peace officer or other law enforcement officer shall not intentionally assault, interfere with, or obstruct the duly authorized representative of a news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network who is gathering, receiving, or processing information for communication to the public.
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(3)
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A duly authorized representative of a news service, online
news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network that is in a closed area described in this section shall not be cited for the failure to disperse, a violation of a curfew, or a violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 148, for gathering, receiving, or processing information. If the duly authorized representative is detained by a peace officer or other law enforcement officer, that representative shall be permitted to contact a supervisory officer immediately for the purpose of challenging the detention, unless circumstances make it impossible to do so.
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(b)
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(1)
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A judicial officer, peace officer, or other law enforcement officer shall not prohibit a duly authorized representative of a news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering a courtroom, court
facility, or other location where a court proceeding that is open to the public is being conducted.
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(2)
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This subdivision does not exempt a person from complying with a rule or order of the court.
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(3)
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A violation of this subdivision shall be subject to civil penalties pursuant to Section 52.1 of the Civil Code.
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(c)
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This section does not
prevent a law enforcement officer from enforcing other applicable laws if the person is engaged in activity that is unlawful.
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(d)
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This section does not impose, and shall not be used as the basis for, criminal liability.
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