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AB-451 • 2026

Law enforcement policies: restraining orders.

Law enforcement policies: restraining orders.

Firearms
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Petrie-Norris
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official effective date is missing from the metadata and summary texts provided; it may be found elsewhere but cannot be confirmed here.

New Rules for Police on Restraining Orders with Gun Bans

This law requires specific police departments in California to create written rules by January 1, 2027, for handling court orders that restrict a person's access to firearms.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires listed police agencies to write new policies and standards about enforcing restraining orders with firearm restrictions.
  • Sets a deadline of January 1, 2027, for these agencies to finish creating and starting their new rules.
  • Mandates that the new policies include a standard process for serving court orders in a timely manner.
  • Ensures police departments follow California laws regarding how they serve protection and restraining orders.

Who It Names or Affects

  • City police departments
  • County sheriff's offices
  • The Department of the California Highway Patrol
  • Police departments for the University of California and California State University

Terms To Know

Restraining order with firearm access restrictions
A court protection or restraining order that includes limits on a person's ability to have firearms.
State-mandated local program
A new duty given by the state government that requires local agencies like police departments to take action.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not list specific details for every step of the policy, only general goals.
  • Reimbursement from the state depends on a future decision by the Commission on State Mandates about costs.
  • The official effective date is not listed in the provided text.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Law enforcement policies: restraining orders.