CA SB 524
Law Enforcement Agencies: Artificial Intelligence
Requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI is used to write or assist in creating official police reports, maintain audit trails, and preserve AI-generated first drafts.
Jurisdiction
California
Enacted
Oct 10, 2025
Effective
Jan 1, 2026
Enforcement
State-mandated local program oversight
Signed October 10, 2025; effective January 1, 2026
California Legislative InformationWhy It Matters
Sets transparency requirements for AI use in criminal justice documentation; may influence similar requirements in other government contexts
Recent Developments
Signed into law October 10, 2025 by Governor Newsom
At a Glance
Who Must Comply
- Law enforcement agencies
- Law enforcement officers
- AI vendors providing services to law enforcement
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Each page must identify AI programs used and state 'This report was written either fully or in part using artificial intelligence'
- Officer signature required verifying review and accuracy of AI-generated content
- First draft created by AI must be retained as long as the official report
- Audit trail required identifying officers who used AI to create reports
- AI vendors prohibited from sharing, selling, or using agency-provided information except for agency needs or court order
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jan 1, 2026
All provisions take effect
View on map
California
Focus Areas
Compliance Help
Human review and signature verification required for all AI-generated police reports; audit trails and first drafts must be retained
See how NOPE helpsCite This
APA
California. (2025). Law Enforcement Agencies: Artificial Intelligence.
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Last updated January 27, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.