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AB-1814 • 2026

Peace officer training: driving under the influence.

Peace officer training: driving under the influence.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Alanis
Last action
2026-04-15
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill specifies that peace officers must complete an NHTSA-approved standard field sobriety testing course, not just a 3-hour course as initially stated.

Training for Police Officers About Drunk Driving

This law requires police officers who work on traffic enforcement to take a special training course about detecting and stopping drivers who are drunk or high.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to create a new training program by July 1, 2027.
  • The training must teach police officers how to spot signs of drunk driving and handle such situations safely.
  • Peace officers assigned primarily to traffic enforcement must complete an NHTSA-approved standard field sobriety testing course of at least 16 hours within one year of their assignment and every two years thereafter.
  • If a peace officer leaves employment with a law enforcement agency and does not become employed by another such agency within two years, they are required to complete specified training courses upon reassignment.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Peace officers assigned primarily to traffic enforcement duties
  • The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

Terms To Know

Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
A group that sets rules for police training in California.
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)
Tests used by police to check if a driver might be drunk or high.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if officers do not complete the required training.
  • Local agencies may need extra money to pay for this new training requirement.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-15 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-03-26 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  3. 2026-03-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

  4. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  5. 2026-02-11 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.

  6. 2026-02-10 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1814, as amended, Alanis.
Peace officer training: driving under the influence.
Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, and requires the commission to, among other things, establish a certification program for peace officers, as defined. Existing law requires the commission, in consultation with specified subject matter experts, to develop guidelines and a course of instruction and training for law enforcement officers, including, but not limited to, hate crimes, elder and dependent abuse, and stalking.
This bill would require, no later than July 1, 2027, the commission to establish and maintain a training course relating to the detection and apprehension of drivers whose behavior
indicates that they may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The bill would require the course to be at least 3 hours and to include certain topics, such as standardized field sobriety testing,
physiology of drugs, and report writing, among others. The bill would require peace officers assigned to traffic enforcement to complete the course within one year of their assignment and every 2 years thereafter. The bill would authorize a peace officer to complete other specified training courses, in lieu of this requirement.
This bill would require peace officers assigned primarily to traffic enforcement to complete a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)-approved standard field sobriety testing course of a minimum of 16 hours within one year of their assignment and, if an officer leaves employment with a law enforcement agency and does not become employed by a law enforcement agency within 2 years of their departure date, would require the officer to complete any of
several specified commission-certified training courses, including a NHTSA refresher course if they are assigned to traffic enforcement.
Because this bill would require additional training for local peace officers, it 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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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