California Lawmakers Block Bill Demanding Transparency After Police Killings

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A bill aimed at protecting the rights of families during investigations of police-related deaths failed to advance in the California Senate as the legislative session came to a close. The bill, Assembly Bill 3021, sought to prevent law enforcement from questioning families of individuals killed by police before informing them of their loved one’s death.

Authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San José), the bill would have required detectives and prosecutors to inform families of their rights before questioning them, including the right to know the status of their loved one, the right to remain silent, the right to retain an attorney, and the right to know if they were being recorded.

“Law enforcement does have a lot of influence still in this building,” Kalra said in a brief interview on Saturday night after the bill failed to secure the necessary votes. “I don’t think they like when they’re told how to conduct their business, but I think there are situations where they need to be told how to conduct their business, and this is one of them.”

Despite passing the Assembly in May, AB 3021 faced strong opposition from law enforcement organizations, including the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association. These groups argued that the bill’s requirements could hinder investigations and compromise justice.

“Imposing rigid requirements on peace officers, prosecuting attorneys, and investigators could ultimately impede the pursuit of justice and compromise the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts,” the association wrote in a legislative analysis. They further argued that requiring officers to disclose specific information before questioning family members could jeopardize the confidentiality of ongoing investigations.

The bill was introduced following an investigation by the Los Angeles Times and the UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program, which found numerous instances where detectives and prosecutors used death notifications as opportunities to gather disparaging information about the deceased before informing their families of the death. Families were often questioned about their loved one’s drug use, mental health, and other personal issues, only to later discover that the relative had died. This information was sometimes used in legal defenses to reduce settlements or damages paid to the families.

Sharon Watkins, whose son, Phillip Watkins, was fatally shot by San José police officers in 2015, expressed her disappointment with the Senate’s decision. “I’m disappointed that grieving families mean so little to the California Senate,” she said. “The possibility of healing community and police relationships will not be possible without this bill.”

Kalra, along with members of the San José-based police accountability group Silicon Valley De-Bug, who helped draft the bill, have vowed to continue their efforts. “I hoped we could get this done this year, but we’ll be back,” Kalra stated, indicating plans to reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session.

The bill’s failure highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement practices and calls for greater accountability and transparency in California. As advocacy groups and legislators push for reform, the debate over how to protect the rights of families affected by police violence is set to continue.