The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.AB 528 prohibits defendants and attorneys from copying child pornography evidence
Record date · August 13, 2026
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What This Bill Would Do
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.
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 It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a defense attorney still view child pornography evidence?
What happens to the copies of evidence currently held by defense teams?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
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.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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