Traffic Stop
2024: Limiting Contact Between Police and the Public
Goal
Limit unnecessary contact between police and the public. This session that includes:
Memo of Support for CA SB 912
Memo of support for California Senate Bill 912, the Requiring Objective and Accurate Drug (ROAD) Testing Act, by Senator Scott Wiener. This measure would prohibit law enforcement agencies from using the results of a colorimetric field drug test as probable cause for arrest or as the basis for a drug possession charge prior to a confirmatory test from a crime laboratory.
Reducing Law Enforcement's Footprint to Maximize Community Safety: Eliminating Police-Based Response to Low Level Traffic Violations and Mental Health Crises
This white paper provides an overview of the harms that flow from relying on law enforcement for civil traffic violations and crisis intervention. These two arenas account for a significant portion of police-civilian contacts and, in turn, a significant portion of civilian deaths at the hands of police. In 2021 alone, police killed at least 1,140 people. 117 of those people were killed after police stopped them for a traffic violation, and 104 were killed after police responded to reports of erratic behavior or mental health crisis.
Washington HB 1513/SB 5572
Data collection on traffic stops (primarily re: race of driver); provide grant program for low-income drivers to assist with needed vehicle repairs; eliminate non-moving violations as a primary justification for a stop.
Missouri HB 2132
Prohibits the odor of marijuana alone to give rise to probable cause to search a vehicle, home, or other private property.
California SB 50
Will limit law enforcement’s ability to stop people for minor, non-safety-related traffic infractions, unless there is an independent, safety related basis to initiate the stop. It will also provide technical clarification to ensure that localities can explore non-law enforcement approaches to traffic safety.
South Carolina SB 892 / HB 3829
Smell of marijuana alone does not provide reasonable suspicion or probable cause to support a stop, search, seizure, or arrest.
New Jersey S4250/A5326
Funding for pilot civilian response teams.