AB 528 prohibits defendants and attorneys from copying child pornog…

The Frame

What this does

This bill changes how defense teams handle sensitive evidence, shifting from a system that allowed controlled copies to one that mandates the material remain in official custody to prevent unauthorized reproduction.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Defendants

Defendants are prohibited from possessing or creating copies of child pornography evidence and must rely on access provided by the prosecution.

Defense Attorneys

Attorneys are restricted from duplicating evidence and must manage case preparation within the constraints of official custody of the materials.

Law Enforcement Agencies

Agencies are required to maintain custody of evidence and ensure it is made reasonably available to the defense and victims.

Victims

Victims and their legal representatives are granted specific access to the evidence.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

AB 528 prohibits defendants, their attorneys, and any other individuals from copying, photographing, or duplicating child pornography evidence used in criminal cases. The bill requires such evidence to remain exclusively in the custody of law enforcement, the prosecution, or the court, while ensuring the defense retains reasonable access to the materials.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This bill changes how defense teams handle sensitive evidence, shifting from a system that allowed controlled copies to one that mandates the material remain in official custody to prevent unauthorized reproduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a defense attorney still view child pornography evidence?

Yes. The bill requires the prosecution to make the material, along with any necessary hardware or media, reasonably available to the defendant and their attorney.

What happens to the copies of evidence currently held by defense teams?

The bill repeals the provisions that previously allowed for the disclosure of copies, requiring that all such material remain in the custody of law enforcement, the prosecution, or the court.

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Shift from Disclosure to Custody

The bill represents a fundamental shift in criminal procedure from allowing defense-held copies of evidence to a strict 'custody-only' model for child pornography.

Defendants Prosecutors

Connected Entities

organizationCommission on State Mandates“Responsible for determining if the bill creates state-mandated costs requiring r”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

AB 528 prohibits defendants and attorneys from copying child pornography evidence