Stanislaus News

Today in Sacramento, Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced progress on a public safety bill aimed at enhancing protections for victims of child exploitation. The legislation, known as AB 528, successfully cleared its initial committee vote. The bill focuses on prohibiting the copying and distribution of child sexual abuse materials during criminal proceedings.

Assemblymember Alanis emphasized the importance of protecting victims, stating, “It is our responsibility to protect the dignity and privacy of child abuse victims. We can achieve that by securing these images and preventing further trauma through unnecessary duplication or distribution. AB 528 ensures that while such evidence remains accessible for a fair trial, it is also safeguarded from unauthorized exposure.”

Under existing law, all material identified as child pornography must be held by the government or the court, preventing defendants and their attorneys from copying or reproducing this evidence. However, current policies still allow a judge to authorize the distribution of copies outside the jurisdiction of law enforcement. AB 528 seeks to close these gaps by banning the reproduction and removal of such materials, reducing the risk of unauthorized distribution and aligning state law more closely with federal standards for handling child exploitation evidence.

Expressing his commitment to the cause, Alanis added, “Protecting kids remains my top priority. We must continue to prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable and innocent among us. This is a commonsense measure to protect victims from further harm and exploitation. I am pleased it passed with strong bipartisan support today.”

The legislation had a unanimous vote of 9-0 in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, advancing it to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Assemblymember Juan Alanis serves the 22nd Assembly District, which encompasses communities such as Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, and several others.