The California State Legislature  passed Assembly Bill 2623 (State hospitals: peace officers) sending it to Governor Jerry Brown.

AB 2623 would require the State Department of State Hospitals, by June 30, 2013, to adopt a policy regarding arming peace officers of state hospitals under its jurisdiction while performing security functions outside the secure area of the hospital and would require the department to implement the policy by January 1, 2014.

The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) applauds the passage of AB 2623.

  "We've worked for decades for this legislation. There were several amendments to the bill along the way that disappointed us," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. "But this bill is a step in the right direction.  It's a common sense fix that will help hospital police officers, who are sworn peace officers,  to have the proper safety equipment."

AB 2623 returns back to the State Assembly for  one more  routine vote  before it can be sent to Governor Jerry Brown.