BILL NUMBER: AB 2484	CHAPTERED  09/26/00

	CHAPTER   622
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 26, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 24, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 22, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 18, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 19, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Romero, Aroner, and Keeley

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2000

   An act to add Section 52.3 to the Civil Code, relating to civil
rights.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2484, Romero.  Civil rights:  Attorney General.
   Existing law authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil
action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief whenever
a person or persons, whether or not acting under the color of  law,
interferes by threats, intimidation, or coercion, or attempts to
interfere by threats, intimidation, or coercion, with the exercise or
enjoyment of rights secured by federal or state law.  This authority
has been limited by case law to instances where the injured person
has been discriminated against on the basis of his or her membership
in a disadvantaged group.
   This bill would authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil
action to obtain equitable and declaratory relief to eliminate a
pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that
deprives the person of rights secured by state and federal law.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 52.3 is added to the Civil Code, to read:
   52.3.  (a) No governmental authority, or agent of a governmental
authority, or person acting on behalf of a governmental authority,
shall engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement
officers that deprives any person of rights, privileges, or
immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the
United States or by the Constitution or laws of California.
   (b) The Attorney General may bring a civil action in the name of
the people to obtain appropriate equitable and declaratory relief to
eliminate the pattern or practice of conduct specified in subdivision
(a), whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to  believe
that a violation of subdivision (a) has occurred.