SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced that one of his priority public safety bills has cleared its first committee vote. The bill, AB 528, would further protect victims of child exploitation by prohibiting the copying and distribution of child sexual abuse material in criminal proceedings.
“It is our responsibility to protect the dignity and privacy of child abuse victims,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “We can achieve that by securing these images and preventing further trauma through unnecessary duplication or distribution. AB 528 ensures that while such evidence remains accessible for a fair trial, it is also safeguarded from unauthorized exposure.”
Current law mandates that any material constituting child pornography must remain in the care and custody of the government or court and prohibits defendants, their attorneys, or any other parties from copying or reproducing such evidence. However, state law still allows a judge to order copies to be distributed to parties outside the control and custody of law enforcement. AB 528 addresses critical gaps in California’s criminal procedure by prohibiting the reproduction and removal of child sexual abuse material, thereby mitigating the risk of unauthorized distribution. It also aligns California with federal law, ensuring uniformity in the treatment of child exploitation evidence and reducing inconsistencies between jurisdictions.
“Protecting kids remains my top priority,” added Alanis. “We must continue to prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable and innocent among us. This is a commonsense measure to protect victims from further harm and exploitation. I am pleased it passed with strong bipartisan support today.”
AB 582 passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee 9-0 and will now be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Assemblymember Juan Alanis represents the 22nd Assembly District, which includes the communities of Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Denair, Patterson, Gustine, Newman, Hilmar, Ballico, Snelling, Keyes, Grayson, Crows Landing, Diablo Grande, Stevinson, & Empire.
