Cal. Codes » Government Code / TITLE 1. GENERAL / DIVISION 4. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES / CHAPTER 9.7. Public Safety Officers
California Codes

Cal. Government Code § 3305.5 (2026)

Public Safety Officers

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(a)A punitive action, or denial of promotion on grounds other than merit, shall not be undertaken by any public agency against any public safety officer solely because that officer’s name has been placed on a Brady list, or that the officer’s name may otherwise be subject to disclosure pursuant to Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83.

(b)This section shall not prohibit a public agency from taking punitive action, denying promotion on grounds other than merit, or taking other personnel action against a public safety officer based on the underlying acts or omissions for which that officer’s name was placed on a Brady list, or may otherwise be subject to disclosure pursuant to Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83, if the actions taken by the public agency otherwise conform to this chapter and to the rules and procedures adopted by the local agency.

(c)Evidence that a public safety officer’s name has been placed on a Brady list, or may otherwise be subject to disclosure pursuant to Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83, shall not be introduced for any purpose in any administrative appeal of a punitive action, except as provided in subdivision (d).

(d)Evidence that a public safety officer’s name was placed on a Brady list may only be introduced if, during the administrative appeal of a punitive action against an officer, the underlying act or omission for which that officer’s name was placed on a Brady list is proven and the officer is found to be subject to some form of punitive action. If the hearing officer or other administrative appeal tribunal finds or determines that a public safety officer has committed the underlying acts or omissions that will result in a punitive action, denial of a promotion on grounds other than merit, or any other adverse personnel action, and evidence exists that a public safety officer’s name has been placed on a Brady list, or may otherwise be subject to disclosure pursuant to Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83, then the evidence shall be introduced for the sole purpose of determining the type or level of punitive action to be imposed.

(e)For purposes of this section, “Brady list” means any system, index, list, or other record containing the names of peace officers whose personnel files are likely to contain evidence of dishonesty or bias, which is maintained by a prosecutorial agency or office in accordance with the holding in Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2017–2017 · leading case: Ass'n for L. A. Deputy Sheriffs v. Superior Court of Cal. ex rel. Cnty. of L. A., 13 Cal. App. 5th 413 (Cal. Ct. App. 2017).
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Ass'n for L. A. Deputy Sheriffs v. Superior Court of Cal. ex rel. Cnty. of L. A., 13 Cal. App. 5th 413 (Cal. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “Code, § 3301 ; Pen Code, § 830.1, subd. (a).) Non-probationary officers must be given an opportunity for administrative appeal of any punitive action.”
Assn. for L.A. Deputy Sheriffs v. Super. Ct., No. B280676 (Cal. Ct. App. July 11, 2017). · cites it 3× “14 First, the trial court explained that pursuant to Government Code section 3305.5, the LASD and other real parties have a statutory obligation not to take punitive action against a deputy just because his or her name has been placed on a Brady list.”
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