Videotaping Proposed for L.A. Law Enforcement Vehicles

Sparked by the Rodney G. King police beating case, a bill to require video cameras to be mounted on the windshields of Los Angeles County law enforcement vehicles has been introduced in the Assembly.

The legislation (AB 1102), sponsored by Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles), also mandates that the video cameras be turned on and left on during all contacts between peace officers and citizens.

Resulting videotapes would have to be kept on file by law enforcement agencies for at least one year. The program would end July 1, 1999. Archie-Hudson said she could not provide a cost estimate for her legislation.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Conjugal Visits: AB 1236 by Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) would make private family and conjugal visits to state prison inmates subject to further security restrictions.

School Planning: AB 1245 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would set up a 17-member advisory council to create a new master plan for elementary and secondary schools that would meet specific educational principles and goals to make California workers more competitive in the 21st Century.

School Choice: AB 1114 by Assemblywoman Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) would allow parents to choose which schools in a school district their children attend.

School Dress: AB 980 by Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) would authorize school districts to require students to adhere to a reasonable dress code.

Carjacking: AB 1010 by Assemblyman Larry Bowler (R-Elk Grove) would require that anyone who kidnaps another person during a carjacking be punished by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Employment Discrimination: AB 1204 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) would prohibit discrimination against employees because of their past or present membership in a labor organization.

Graffiti: AB 1121 by Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale) would increase penalties for convicted repeat graffiti offenders and those who cause more than $400 damage.

Home Improvements: AB 1195 by Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) would prohibit lenders from making home improvement loans secured by a residence unless the lender determines that the borrower can pay off the loan and will not default.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Automobile Insurance: SB 684 by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) would provide basic no-fault auto insurance financed by a 30% per gallon surtax on gasoline paid by motorists at the pump.

Doctor Sex: SB 743 by Sen. Dan E. Boatwright (D-Concord) would strengthen laws prohibiting doctors from having sexual relations with their patients.

Teen-Age Drivers: SB 689 by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) would prohibit anyone under 21 from driving a motor vehicle with any amount of alcohol in his or her blood and require the suspension of a violator’s driver’s license.

Ticket Sales: SB 580 by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) would increase state regulation of tickets for entertainment events.

Cartoon Advertisements: SB 618 by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) would prohibit the use of cartoon-character advertisements for products that minors cannot legally possess, such as tobacco.

Vehicle Pursuits: SB 601 by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) would require development of instructions to train law enforcement officers in handling high-speed vehicle pursuits.

UC Regents: SCA 16 and SB 637 by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) would prohibit governors from appointing campaign contributors to the University of California Board of Regents and prohibit UC regents from contributing to any campaign committee controlled by the governor.

Campaign Contributions: SCA 13 by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) would require the Legislature to impose campaign financing limits on lawmakers and provide for partial public funding.

Capital Fact

Friday was the last day for unrestricted introduction of 1993 bills in both the Assembly and Senate.