WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 937

Law enforcement: flash-bang grenades and explosive breaching charges.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Wiener

SB 937 restricts use of flash-bang grenades and explosive breach charges, requires officer justification and de-escalation, and adds public incident reporting.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 2.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#lawenforcement #flash-banggrenadesandexplosivebreachingcharges
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 937

Summary of SB 937 (2025-2026) — California

Purpose and intent

SB 937 aims to restrict or prohibit certain law enforcement tools and practices, specifically flash-bang grenades and explosive breaching charges. The bill would expand existing prohibitions and reporting requirements to limit use of these devices, prohibit their use for immigration enforcement, and require more detailed incident reporting. It seeks to safeguard bystand ers, particularly around schools and areas where children are present, and to ensure that commanding officers authorize such uses.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition and restrictions on flash-bang grenades

    • Prohibits the use of flash-bang grenades by peace officers to disperse assemblies, protests, or demonstrations, except when used in compliance with specified standards.
    • Expands the existing framework governing use of force to require that flash-bang grenades be deployed only by a trained peace officer and with justification as objectively reasonable to defend against threat to life or serious bodily injury, and to safely and effectively control an objectively dangerous situation.
    • Requires de-escalation attempts, announced intent to use the device (multilingual as appropriate), opportunities to disperse, targeting toward violent actors (not indiscriminate), proportional use, minimizing incidental harm to bystanders, and prompt medical assistance when needed.
    • Prohibits deployment near school grounds, parks, or areas with visible children.
    • Prohibits use for immigration enforcement.
    • Only a commanding officer at the scene may authorize use.
    • Defines terms: “flash-bang grenades,” “peace officer,” “law enforcement agency,” “chemical agents,” and related concepts.

  • Procedural reporting requirements

    • Agencies must publish a 60-day (with possible 30-day extension, up to 90 days total) public summary on the agency’s website for every incident involving use of kinetic energy projectiles, flash-bang grenades, or chemical agents. Summaries include incident description, crowd size, personnel involved, type and quantity used, injuries, and justification including de-escalation efforts.
    • The California Department of Justice (DOJ) will compile and post a list linking each agency’s posted reports.

  • Explosive breaching charges and immigration enforcement

    • Prohibits peace officers from using explosive breaching charges for immigration enforcement (e.g., forced entry methods like detonating cords, shaped charges, etc.).

  • Definitions and scope

    • Provides detailed definitions for “flash-bang grenades,” “kinetic energy projectiles,” “chemical agents,” and “law enforcement agency.”
    • Clarifies the law’s severability and potential state-mandated local cost reimbursements if applicable.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected entities: Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in California (including departments and personnel acting on behalf of agencies).
  • Affected activities: Use of flash-bang grenades and explosive breaching charges in crowd control or immigration enforcement; reporting and transparency requirements for use-of-force incidents.
  • Broader impact: Increased restrictions on specific less-lethal devices, enhanced reporting, and constraints on immigration-related enforcement actions.

Timelines and process

  • Status and procedure: The bill progressed through committee reviews in early 2026, with hearings and amendments occurring in March and April 2026. It is subject to standard legislative timelines, including potential APPR (appropriations) suspense handling.
  • Effective/revision timings: If enacted, provisions would take effect per the enacted text; severability and state-mandated cost provisions apply as described.

Overall, SB 937 emphasizes limiting high-impact, crowd-control devices, ensuring officer training and scene leadership, enhancing transparency through incident reporting, and removing firearms-like tactics from immigration enforcement contexts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.