AB 2318: Law enforcement: facilitating medical care.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law generally provides for the regulation of law enforcement agencies and requires specified law enforcement agencies to maintain policies on, among other things, use of force, hate crimes, and gun violence restraining orders. Existing law requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to establish and keep updated a field training officer course relating to competencies of the field training program and police training program that addresses how to interact with persons with certain conditions.

This bill would make it unlawful for a law enforcement officer to deny, delay, obstruct, or fail to facilitate access to medical evaluation or treatment for an individual under law enforcement control, but who is not in the custody of, or detained by, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if it is safe and reasonable to provide access to treatment and a medical professional has been requested or is present and is willing to render care to the individual. If access to medical evaluation or treatment is denied or delayed when a medical professional is present and is willing to assist, the bill would require law enforcement to document the basis of the denial within 72 hours of the incident, as specified. The bill would authorize administrative discipline, including suspension or termination, against a law enforcement officer who violates those provisions. By creating a new crime and by increasing the duties on local law enforcement relating to reporting, the 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 29, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 747, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 29, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 52. Noes 18. Page 6785.).
5. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 25. Noes 10.).
7. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
9. August 13, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 13).
10. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
11. June 25, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. June 24, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (June 23).