BILL NUMBER: SB 1162	CHAPTERED  09/26/08

	CHAPTER  346
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
	PASSED THE SENATE  APRIL 17, 2008
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 4, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2008

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Maldonado

                        FEBRUARY 6, 2008

   An act to amend Section 12020.1 of the Penal Code, relating to
hard plastic knuckles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1162, Maldonado. Hard plastic knuckles.
   Existing law makes it an offense for any person who commercially
manufactures or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who
knowingly imports into the state for commercial sale, keeps for
commercial sale, or offers or exposes for commercial sale, any hard
plastic knuckles, as defined.
   This bill would expand those provisions to include hard wooden
knuckles, as defined.
   By expanding the scope of an existing offense, this bill would
impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 12020.1 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   12020.1.  Any person in this state who commercially manufactures
or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who knowingly imports
into the state for commercial sale, keeps for commercial sale, or
offers or exposes for commercial sale, any hard plastic knuckles or
hard wooden knuckles is guilty of a misdemeanor. As used in this
section, "hard plastic knuckles" or "hard wooden knuckles" means any
device or instrument made wholly or partially of plastic or of wood,
composite, or paper materials that is not a metal knuckle as defined
in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 12020, that is worn
for purposes of offense or defense in or on the hand, and that either
protects the wearer's hand while striking a blow or increases the
force of impact from the blow or injury to the individual receiving
the blow. The plastic, wood, composite or paper products contained in
the device may help support the hand or fist, provide a shield to
protect it, or consist of projections or studs that would contact the
individual receiving a blow.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.