BILL NUMBER: AB 2337 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Dickinson
FEBRUARY 24, 2012
An act to amend Section 1985.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and
to amend Section 1326 of, and to add Section 1326.3 to, the Penal
Code, relating to electronic personal records.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2337, as introduced, Dickinson. Electronic personal records.
(1) Existing law requires a copy of a subpoena duces tecum for the
production of personal records pertaining to a consumer, to be
served upon the consumer prior to specified dates, together with a
copy of the affidavit supporting the issuance of the subpoena, if
any, specified notice, and proof of service. Existing law requires
the subpoenaing party either to serve upon the witness who maintains
the records proof of personal service of these documents upon the
consumer or to furnish the witness with written authorization from
the consumer to release the records. Existing law defines "personal
records" for purposes of these provisions.
This bill would increase the period of time by which the
above-described notice to the consumer and delivery of documents must
occur. The bill would require the subpoenaing party either to serve
proof of the personal service on the consumer, or to furnish the
consumer's written authorization, within a specified time. The bill
would expand the definition of "personal records" for these purposes
to include any data pertaining to a consumer that is maintained by an
interactive computer service or access software provider, as
specified.
(2) Existing law provides that a subpoena duces tecum for personal
records pertaining to a consumer that are maintained by a telephone
corporation that is a public utility shall not be valid or effective
unless it includes a consent to release, signed by the consumer whose
records are requested, as specified.
This bill would provide that a subpoena duces tecum for personal
records pertaining to a consumer that are maintained by an
interactive computer service or access software provider shall not be
valid if the court makes any specified finding.
(3) Existing law permits the consumer whose personal records are
sought by a subpoena duces tecum pursuant to the above-described
provisions, and who is party to the action in which the subpoena is
served, to bring a motion to quash or modify the subpoena, as
specified. Any other consumer or nonparty whose personal records are
sought may serve a written objection that cites the specific grounds
on which production of the personal records should be prohibited.
This bill would additionally permit the witness upon whom the
subpoena is served to bring such a motion or to serve that written
objection.
(4) Under existing law, a subpoena issued in a criminal action
that commands the custodian of records or other qualified witness of
a business to produce books, papers, documents, or records shall
direct that those items be delivered by the custodian or qualified
witness in a specified manner.
This bill would make the provisions described in (1), (2), and (3)
above apply in a criminal prosecution or proceeding if the subpoena
calls for the production of personal records pertaining to a
consumer. However, if the personal records are produced by an
interactive computer service or access software provider in
accordance with those requirements, and are accompanied by a
specified declaration, the bill would provide that no witness need
appear to testify or otherwise authenticate the records.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 1985.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure is
amended to read:
1985.3. (a) For purposes of this section, the following
definitions apply:
(1) "Personal records" means the original, any copy of books,
documents, other writings, or electronic data pertaining to a
consumer and which that are maintained
by any "witness" which is a that is any of
the following:
(A) A physician, dentist,
ophthalmologist, optometrist, chiropractor, physical therapist,
psychotherapist, as defined in Section 1010 of the Evidence Code,
acupuncturist, podiatrist, veterinarian, veterinary hospital,
veterinary clinic, pharmacist, pharmacy, hospital, medical center,
clinic, radiology or MRI center, or clinical or diagnostic
laboratory , state .
(B) A state or national bank,
state or federal association (as , as
defined in Section 5102 of the Financial Code)
Code , state or federal credit union, trust company,
anyone authorized by this state to make or arrange loans that are
secured by real property, security brokerage firm, insurance company,
title insurance company, underwritten title company, escrow agent
licensed pursuant to Division 6 (commencing with Section 17000) of
the Financial Code or exempt from licensure pursuant to Section 17006
of the Financial Code, attorney, accountant,
or institution of the Farm Credit System, as specified in
Section 2002 of Title 12 of the United States Code , or
.
(C) An attorney or accountant.
(D) A telephone corporation
which that is a public utility, as
defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code , or
psychotherapist, as defined in Section 1010 of the Evidence Code, or
a .
(E) A private or public
preschool, elementary school, secondary school, or postsecondary
school , as described in Section 76244 of the Education
Code.
(F) An interactive computer service or access software provider,
as defined in Section 230(f) of Title 47 of the United States Code.
(2) "Consumer" means any individual, partnership of five or fewer
persons, association, or trust which that
has transacted business with, or has used the services of, the
witness or for whom which the witness
has acted as agent or fiduciary.
(3) "Subpoenaing party" means the person or persons causing a
subpoena duces tecum to be issued or served in connection with any
civil action or proceeding pursuant to this code, but shall not
include the state or local agencies described in Section 7465 of the
Government Code, or any entity provided for under Article VI of the
California Constitution in any proceeding maintained before an
adjudicative body of that entity pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing
with Section 6000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions
Code.
(4) "Deposition officer" means a person who meets the
qualifications specified in Section 2020.420.
(b) Prior to the date called for in the subpoena duces tecum for
the production of personal records, the subpoenaing party shall serve
or cause to be served on the consumer whose records are being sought
a copy of the subpoena duces tecum, of the affidavit supporting the
issuance of the subpoena, if any, and of the notice described in
subdivision (e), and proof of service as indicated in paragraph (1)
of subdivision (c). This service shall be made as follows:
(1) To the consumer personally, or at his or her last known
address, or in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
1010) of Title 14 of Part 3 2 , or, if
he or she is a party, to his or her attorney of record. If the
consumer is a minor, service shall be made on the minor's parent,
guardian, conservator, or similar fiduciary, or if one of them cannot
be located with reasonable diligence, then service shall be made on
any person having the care or control of the minor or with whom the
minor resides or by whom the minor is employed, and on the minor if
the minor is at least 12 years of age.
(2) Not less than 10 21 days prior
to the date for production specified in the subpoena duces tecum,
plus the additional time provided by Section 1013 if service is by
mail.
(3) At least five 10 days prior to
service upon the custodian of the records, plus the additional time
provided by Section 1013 if service is by mail.
(c) Prior to the production of the records, but not less than
21 days prior to the date for production specified in the subpoena
duces tecum, the subpoenaing party shall do either of the
following:
(1) Serve or cause to be served upon the witness a proof of
personal service or of service by mail attesting to compliance with
subdivision (b).
(2) Furnish the witness a written authorization to release the
records signed by the consumer or by his or her
under oath or by the consumer's attorney of record. The
witness may presume that any attorney purporting to sign the
authorization on behalf of the consumer acted with the consent of the
consumer, and that any objection to release of records is waived.
The witness may require additional, reasonable proof of identity
or ownership by the consumer of the account for which personal
records are sought.
(d) A subpoena duces tecum for the production of personal records
shall be served in sufficient time to allow the witness a reasonable
time, as provided in Section 2020.410, to locate and produce the
records or copies thereof.
(e) (1) Every copy of the subpoena duces
tecum and affidavit, if any, served on a consumer or his or her
attorney in accordance with subdivision (b) shall be accompanied by a
notice, in a typeface designed to call attention to the notice,
indicating that (1) records all of the
following:
(A) Records about the consumer
are being sought from the witness named on the subpoena ;
(2) if .
(B) If the consumer objects to
the witness furnishing the records to the party seeking the records,
the consumer must file papers with the court or serve a written
objection as provided in subdivision (g) prior to the date specified
for production on the subpoena ; and (3) if .
(C) If the party who is seeking
the records will not agree in writing to cancel or limit the
subpoena, an attorney should be consulted about the consumer's
interest in protecting his or her rights of privacy. If
(2) If a notice of taking of
deposition is also served, that other notice may be set forth in a
single document with the notice required by this subdivision.
(f) A subpoena duces tecum for personal records maintained by a
telephone corporation which is a public utility, as defined in
Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, shall not be valid or
effective unless it includes a consent to release, signed by the
consumer whose records are requested, as required by Section 2891 of
the Public Utilities Code.
(f) A subpoena duces tecum for personal records shall not be valid
if either of the following apply:
(1) The personal records being sought are maintained by a
telephone corporation that is a public utility, as defined in Section
216 of the Public Utilities Code, and the subpoena duces tecum does
not include a consent to release signed by the consumer whose records
are requested, as required by Section 2891 of the Public Utilities
Code.
(2) The personal records being sought are maintained by, and the
subpoenaed witness is, an interactive computer service or access
software provider, as defined in Section 230(f) of Title 47 of the
United States Code, and the court makes any of the following
findings:
(A) The subpoena duces tecum does not include a written
authorization to release the records that complies with paragraph (2)
of subdivision (c) or proof of service attesting to compliance with
subdivision (b).
(B) The subpoenaing party has not exhausted all other reasonable
means for obtaining the personal records.
(C) The personal records described in the subpoena duces tecum are
not relevant and material to the underlying proceeding.
(D) The need for the personal records does not outweigh the
constitutional and statutory rights of the consumer to personal
privacy.
(g) Any consumer whose personal records are sought by a subpoena
duces tecum and who is a party to the civil action in which this
subpoena duces tecum is served , or the witness upon whom the
subpoena duces tecum is served, may, prior to the date for
production, bring a motion under Section 1987.1 to quash or modify
the subpoena duces tecum. Notice of the bringing of that motion shall
be given to the witness and deposition officer at least five days
prior to production. The failure to provide notice to the deposition
officer shall not invalidate the motion to quash or modify the
subpoena duces tecum but may be raised by the deposition officer as
an affirmative defense in any action for liability for improper
release of records.
Any other consumer or nonparty whose personal records are sought
by a subpoena duces tecum , or the witness upon whom the
subpoena duces tecum is served, may, prior to the date of
production, serve on the subpoenaing party, the witness, and the
deposition officer, a written objection that cites the specific
grounds on which production of the personal records should be
prohibited.
No witness or deposition officer shall be required to produce
personal records after receipt of notice that the motion has been
brought by a consumer, or after receipt of a written objection from a
nonparty consumer, except upon order of the court in which the
action is pending or by agreement of the parties, witnesses, and
consumers affected.
The party requesting a consumer's personal records may bring a
motion under Section 1987.1 to enforce the subpoena within 20 days of
service of the written objection. The motion shall be accompanied by
a declaration showing a reasonable and good faith attempt at
informal resolution of the dispute between the party requesting the
personal records and the consumer or the consumer's attorney.
(h) Upon good cause shown , and provided that
if the rights of witnesses and consumers are
preserved, a subpoenaing party shall be entitled to obtain an order
shortening the time for service of a subpoena duces tecum or waiving
the requirements of subdivision (b) where
when due diligence by the subpoenaing party has been shown.
(i) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to apply
to any subpoena duces tecum which that
does not request the records of any particular consumer or consumers
, and which that requires a
custodian of records to delete all information which
that would in any way identify any consumer
whose records are to be produced.
(j) This section shall not apply to proceedings conducted under
Division 1 (commencing with Section 50), Division 4 (commencing with
Section 3200), Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 6100), or
Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 6200), of the Labor Code.
(k) Failure to comply with this section shall be sufficient basis
for the witness to refuse to produce the personal records sought by a
subpoena duces tecum.
(l) If the subpoenaing party is the consumer, and the consumer is
the only subject of the subpoenaed records, notice to the consumer,
and delivery of the other documents specified in subdivision (b) to
the consumer, is not required under this section.
SEC. 2. Section 1326 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
1326. (a) The process by which the attendance of a witness before
a court or magistrate is required is a subpoena. It may be signed
and issued by any of the following:
(1) A magistrate before whom a complaint is laid or his or her
clerk, the district attorney or his or her investigator, or the
public defender or his or her investigator, for witnesses in the
state.
(2) The district attorney, his or her investigator, or, upon
request of the grand jury, any judge of the superior court, for
witnesses in the state, in support of an indictment or information,
to appear before the court in which it is to be tried.
(3) The district attorney or his or her investigator, the public
defender or his or her investigator, or the clerk of the court in
which a criminal action is to be tried. The clerk shall, at any time,
upon application of the defendant, and without charge, issue as many
blank subpoenas, subscribed by him or her, for witnesses in the
state, as the defendant may require.
(4) The attorney of record for the defendant.
(b) A Except as otherwise
provided in Section 1326.3, a subpoena issued in a criminal
action that commands the custodian of records or other qualified
witness of a business to produce books, papers, documents, or records
shall direct that those items be delivered by the custodian or
qualified witness in the manner specified in subdivision (b) of
Section 1560 of the Evidence Code. Subdivision (e) of Section 1560 of
the Evidence Code shall not apply to criminal cases.
(c) In Except as otherwise provided in
Section 1326.3, in a criminal action, no party, or attorney or
representative of a party, may issue a subpoena commanding the
custodian of records or other qualified witness of a business to
provide books, papers, documents, or records, or copies thereof,
relating to a person or entity other than the subpoenaed person or
entity in any manner other than that specified in subdivision (b) of
Section 1560 of the Evidence Code. When If
a defendant has issued a subpoena to a person or entity that is
not a party for the production of books, papers, documents, or
records, or copies thereof, the court may order an in camera hearing
to determine whether or not the defense is entitled to receive the
documents. The court may not order the documents disclosed to the
prosecution except as required by Section 1054.3.
(d) This section shall not be construed to prohibit obtaining
books, papers, documents, or records with the consent of the person
to whom the books, papers, documents, or records relate.
SEC. 3. Section 1326.3 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
1326.3. (a) For purposes of this section, the following
definitions apply:
(1) "Personal records" means the original, any copy of books,
documents, other writings, or electronic data pertaining to a
consumer and that are maintained by any "witness" that is any of the
following:
(A) A physician, dentist, ophthalmologist, optometrist,
chiropractor, physical therapist, psychotherapist, as defined in
Section 1010 of the Evidence Code, acupuncturist, podiatrist,
veterinarian, veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic, pharmacist,
pharmacy, hospital, medical center, clinic, radiology or MRI center,
or clinical or diagnostic laboratory.
(B) A state or national bank, state or federal association, as
defined in Section 5102 of the Financial Code, state or federal
credit union, trust company, anyone authorized by this state to make
or arrange loans that are secured by real property, security
brokerage firm, insurance company, title insurance company,
underwritten title company, escrow agent licensed pursuant to
Division 6 (commencing with Section 17000) of the Financial Code or
exempt from licensure pursuant to Section 17006 of the Financial
Code, or institution of the Farm Credit System, as specified in
Section 2002 of Title 12 of the United States Code.
(C) An attorney or accountant.
(D) A telephone corporation that is a public utility, as defined
in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code.
(E) A private or public preschool, elementary school, secondary
school, or postsecondary school, as described in Section 76244 of the
Education Code.
(F) An interactive computer service or access software provider,
as defined in Section 230(f) of Title 47 of the United States Code.
(2) "Consumer" means any individual, partnership of five or fewer
persons, association, or trust that has transacted business with, or
has used the services of, the witness or for which the witness has
acted as agent or fiduciary.
(3) "Subpoenaing party" means the person or persons causing a
subpoena duces tecum to be issued or served in connection with any
criminal prosecution or proceeding pursuant to this code, but shall
not include the state or local agencies described in Section 7465 of
the Government Code, or any entity provided for under Article VI of
the California Constitution in any proceeding maintained before an
adjudicative body of that entity pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing
with Section 6000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions
Code.
(4) "Deposition officer" means a person who meets the
qualifications specified in Section 2020.420 of the Code of Civil
Procedure.
(b) Prior to the date called for in the subpoena duces tecum for
the production of personal records, the subpoenaing party shall serve
or cause to be served on the consumer whose records are being sought
a copy of the subpoena duces tecum, of the affidavit supporting the
issuance of the subpoena, if any, and of the notice described in
subdivision (e), and proof of service as indicated in paragraph (1)
of subdivision (c). This service shall be made as follows:
(1) To the consumer personally, or at his or her last known
address, or in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
1010) of Title 14 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or, if he
or she is a party, to his or her attorney of record. If the consumer
is a minor, service shall be made on the minor's parent, guardian,
conservator, or similar fiduciary, or if one of them cannot be
located with reasonable diligence, then service shall be made on any
person having the care or control of the minor or with whom the minor
resides or by whom the minor is employed, and on the minor if the
minor is at least 12 years of age.
(2) Not less than 21 days prior to the date for production
specified in the subpoena duces tecum, plus the additional time
provided by Section 1013 of the Code of Civil Procedure if service is
by mail.
(3) At least 10 days prior to service upon the custodian of the
records, plus the additional time provided by Section 1013 of the
Code of Civil Procedure if service is by mail.
(c) Prior to the production of the records, but not less than 21
days prior to the date for production specified in the subpoena duces
tecum, the subpoenaing party shall do either of the following:
(1) Serve or cause to be served upon the witness and the
prosecuting authority a proof of personal service or of service by
mail attesting to compliance with subdivision (b).
(2) Furnish the witness and the prosecuting authority a written
authorization to release the records signed by the consumer under
oath or by the consumer's attorney of record. The witness may presume
that any attorney purporting to sign the authorization on behalf of
the consumer acted with the consent of the consumer, and that any
objection to release of records is waived. The witness may require
additional, reasonable proof of identity or ownership by the consumer
of the account for which personal records are sought.
(d) A subpoena duces tecum for the production of personal records
shall be served in sufficient time to allow the witness a reasonable
time, as provided in Section 2020.410 of the Code of Civil Procedure,
to locate and produce the records or copies thereof.
(e) (1) Every copy of the subpoena duces tecum and affidavit, if
any, served on a consumer or his or her attorney in accordance with
subdivision (b) shall be accompanied by a notice, in a typeface
designed to call attention to the notice, indicating all of the
following:
(A) Records about the consumer are being sought from the witness
named on the subpoena.
(B) If the consumer objects to the witness furnishing the records
to the party seeking the records, the consumer must file papers with
the court or serve a written objection as provided in subdivision (g)
prior to the date specified for production on the subpoena.
(C) If the party who is seeking the records will not agree in
writing to cancel or limit the subpoena, an attorney should be
consulted about the consumer's interest in protecting his or her
rights of privacy.
(2) If a notice of taking of deposition is also served, that other
notice may be set forth in a single document with the notice
required by this subdivision.
(f) A subpoena duces tecum for personal records shall not be valid
if either of the following apply:
(1) The personal records being sought are maintained by a
telephone corporation that is a public utility, as defined in Section
216 of the Public Utilities Code, and the subpoena duces tecum does
not include a consent to release signed by the consumer whose records
are requested, as required by Section 2891 of the Public Utilities
Code.
(2) The personal records being sought are maintained by, and the
subpoenaed witness is, an interactive computer service or access
software provider, as defined in Section 230(f) of Title 47 of the
United States Code, and the court makes any of the following
findings:
(A) The subpoena duces tecum does not include a written
authorization to release the records that complies with paragraph (2)
of subdivision (c) or proof of service attesting to compliance with
subdivision (b).
(B) The subpoenaing party has not exhausted all other reasonable
means for obtaining the personal records.
(C) The personal records described in the subpoena duces tecum are
not relevant and material to the underlying proceeding.
(D) The need for the personal records does not outweigh the
constitutional and statutory rights of the consumer to personal
privacy.
(g) Any consumer whose personal records are sought by a subpoena
duces tecum and who is a defendant in the criminal proceeding in
which the subpoena duces tecum is served, or the witness upon whom
the subpoena duces tecum is served, may, prior to the date for
production, bring a motion under Section 1987.1 of the Code of Civil
Procedure to quash or modify the subpoena duces tecum. Notice of the
bringing of that motion shall be given to the witness and deposition
officer at least five days prior to production. The failure to
provide notice to the deposition officer shall not invalidate the
motion to quash or modify the subpoena duces tecum, but may be raised
by the deposition officer as an affirmative defense in any action
for liability for improper release of records.
Any other consumer whose personal records are sought by a subpoena
duces tecum, or the witness upon whom the subpoena duces tecum is
served, may, prior to the date of production, serve on the
subpoenaing party, the witness, and the deposition officer, a written
objection that cites the specific grounds on which production of the
personal records should be prohibited.
No witness or deposition officer shall be required to produce
personal records after receipt of notice that the motion has been
brought by a consumer, or after receipt of a written objection from a
consumer, except upon order of the court in which the prosecution or
proceeding is pending or by agreement of the parties, witnesses, and
consumers affected.
The party requesting a consumer's personal records may bring a
motion under Section 1987.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure to enforce
the subpoena within 20 days of service of the written objection. The
motion shall be accompanied by a declaration showing a reasonable
and good faith attempt at informal resolution of the dispute between
the party requesting the personal records and the consumer or the
consumer's attorney.
(h) Upon good cause shown, and if the rights of witnesses and
consumers are preserved, a subpoenaing party shall be entitled to
obtain an order shortening the time for service of a subpoena duces
tecum or waiving the requirements of subdivision (b) when due
diligence by the subpoenaing party has been shown.
(i) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to apply
to any subpoena duces tecum that does not request the records of any
particular consumer or consumers, and that requires a custodian of
records to delete all information that would in any way identify any
consumer whose records are to be produced.
(j) Failure to comply with this section shall be sufficient basis
for the witness to refuse to produce the personal records sought by a
subpoena duces tecum.
(k) If personal records are produced by an interactive computer
service or access software provider in accordance with subdivisions
(b), (c), and (f), and are accompanied by a declaration under Section
1561 of the Evidence Code, no witness need appear to testify or
otherwise authenticate the records.