SB 938: Peace officers: training requirements.

Official summary

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

Existing law contains numerous provisions governing the qualifications, standards, and training of peace officers. Existing law requires specified peace officers to successfully complete a training course prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) before exercising the powers of a peace officer. Existing law requires the commission, for those instances where individuals have acquired prior comparable peace officer training, to adopt regulations providing for alternative means for satisfying the training required by a specified provision of law. Existing regulations provide a Basic Course Waiver to individuals with qualifying out-of-state or federal law enforcement experience whose law enforcement training, experience, and education are deemed by POST to demonstrate sufficient law enforcement knowledge, skill, and proficiency.

This bill would provide that service as a sworn federal law enforcement officer whose primary duties consisted of any one or any combination of immigration inspection, border enforcement, or apprehension, detention, or removal of noncitizens under the federal immigration laws, and the training for that service, does not, standing alone, constitute qualifying training, experience, and education demonstrating sufficient law enforcement knowledge, skill, and proficiency for purposes of determining eligibility for a Regular Basic Course Waiver. By increasing duties on local law enforcement agencies, 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5

“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 30, 2026In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2. September 30, 2026In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
3. September 30, 2026In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
4. September 30, 2026Vetoed by the Governor.
5. September 30, 2026Vetoed by the Governor.
6. September 30, 2026Vetoed by the Governor.
7. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
8. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
10. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
11. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
12. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.