SB-962 • 2026

Emergency vehicles: blue warning lights.

Children

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Archuleta
Last action: 2026-04-17
Official status: Set for hearing April 27.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on when the law will take effect or any geographical limitations for parole officers.

Blue Warning Lights for Emergency Vehicles

This law allows parole officers who complete a special training course to use blue warning lights on their emergency vehicles, while also making minor changes to existing rules.

What This Bill Does

Makes small changes to existing rules about using blue warning lights that do not change how peace officers can use them.
Adds parole officers to the list of peace officers who can use blue warning lights if they finish a 4-hour training course.

Who It Names or Affects

Parole officers

Terms To Know

Peace Officers: People who work in law enforcement and have special powers to keep order.
Blue Warning Lights: Lights on emergency vehicles that are blue and can be seen from far away.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when it will start or how long the training course must last.
It is unclear if there are any limits to where parole officers can use these lights after completing the training.

Bill History

2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 7.
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-04 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 962, as amended, Archuleta.
Emergency vehicles: blue warning lights.
Existing law authorizes specified peace officers, including, among others, police officers, probation officers, and members of the California National Guard, in the performance of the officers’ duties, to display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of their emergency vehicles.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
This bill, the Agent Joshua Byrd Memorial Act, would additionally authorize parole officers to display the blue warning light from their emergency vehicles if they complete a 4-hour classroom training course
regarding the operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF