AB 1814: Peace officer training: driving under the influence.
This bill requires peace officers assigned primarily to traffic enforcement to complete a national highway transportation safety administration-approved standard field sobriety testing course of a minimum of 16 hours within one year of their assignment. Additionally, if an officer leaves employment with a law enforcement agency and does not become employed by a law enforcement agency within two years of their departure date, they must complete a commission-certified training course, including a NHTSA refresher course if applicable. The state will reimburse local agencies and school districts for any costs mandated by the state if the commission on state mandates determines that the bill contains such costs.
| May. 14, 2026 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May. 06, 2026 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr. 15, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar. 26, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended. |
| Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2026 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Alanis |
February 10, 2026 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 13519.16 is added to the Penal Code, to read:(a)The commission shall establish and maintain a continuing training course that includes instructor-led active learning, such as scenario-based training, relating to law enforcement detection and apprehension of drivers whose behavior indicates that they may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in violation of Section 23152 of the Vehicle Code.
(b)This course shall be at least three consecutive hours, may include training scenarios and facilitated learning activities, and shall, at a minimum, include all of the following topics:
(1)Standardized field sobriety testing.
(2)The seven major drug categories.
(3)Signs and symptomatology.
(4)Physiology of drugs.
(5)Drug combinations.
(6)Courtroom testimony.
(7)Report writing.
(c)Except as described in subdivision (d), each
13519.16.
(a) A peace officer with a rank of supervisor or below who is assigned primarily to traffic enforcement shall complete(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (c), a peace officer may complete either of the following in lieu of the course described in subdivision (a):
(B)
(C)
(D)
(e) The commission shall implement this section on or before July 1, 2027.