BILL NUMBER: AB 249 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Donnelly FEBRUARY 6, 2013 An act to amend Section 630 of the Penal Code, relating to invasion of privacy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 249, as introduced, Donnelly. Invasion of privacy. Existing law makes wiretapping without the consent of all parties to the communication, or in an unauthorized manner, a crime. Existing law further declares that advances in science and technology have led to the development of new devices and techniques for the purpose of eavesdropping upon private communications and that the invasion of privacy resulting from the continual and increasing use of those devices and techniques has created a serious threat to the free exercise of personal liberties and cannot be tolerated in a free and civilized society. Existing law expresses the intent of the Legislature to protect the right of privacy of the people of California. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those provisions describing the invasion of privacy resulting from the use of those devices. 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 630 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 630. (a) The Legislature hereby declares that advances in science and technology have led to the development of new devices and techniques for the purpose of eavesdropping upon private communications and that the invasion of privacy resulting from the continual and increasing use ofsuchthose devices and techniques has created a serious threat to the free exercise of personal liberties and cannot be tolerated in a free and civilized society.The(b) The Legislature by this chapter intends to protect the right of privacy of the people of this state.The(c) The Legislature recognizes that law enforcement agencies have a legitimate need to employ modern listening devices and techniques in the investigation of criminal conduct and the apprehension of lawbreakers. Therefore, it is not the intent of the Legislature to place greater restraints on the use of listening devices and techniques by law enforcement agencies than existed prior to the effective date of this chapter.