Policy Text
ISSUE: 25-53 TRAINING BULLETIN DATE: September 10, 2025
California Assembly Bill 2655 & Penal Code 647.9
Overview & Legal Purpose
Assembly Bill 2655 was passed on September 28, 2020, and established Penal Code 647.9 which
was effective January 1, 2021. PC 647.9 was established to prevent images of deceased people from
being inappropriately circulated by first responders.
Summarization of Penal Code 647.9
First responders may not capture images of a deceased person unless done for an official law
enforcement purpose or genuine public interest. Any violation of Penal Code 647.9(a) is punishable
as a misdemeanor.
Complete Penal Code 647.9
(a) A first responder, operating under color of authority, who responds to the scene of an accident or
crime and captures the photographic image of a deceased person by any means, including, but not
limited to, by use of a personal electronic device or a device belonging to their employing agency, for
any purpose other than an official law enforcement pu