Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Assembly has narrowly advanced legislation to end the use of secret grand jury proceedings to investigate police shootings.
SB227 passed Thursday on a 41-to-33 vote, the minimum needed. It now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for consideration.
The legislation by Democratic Sen. Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles is among several bills introduced in response to nationwide protests over police slayings of unarmed black men.
Grand juries did not bring criminal charges against officers who killed men in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island.
Mitchell says the secret proceedings are unfair and not transparent.
The California District Attorneys Association says grand juries are more transparent and fair in California than in other states.
There was no debate on the bill, but Republicans were opposed and several Democrats withheld votes.
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