On April 29, 2014, Senate Bill 1258, which is supported by the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA), was cleared by the Senate Public Safety Committee.   SB 1258 would, among other things, allow additional investigators working for various licensing entities at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), who have probable cause, to apply to use the CURES database when investigating allegations involving substance abuse by licensees.

Under current law, peace officers conducting these types of investigations may apply to the Department of Justice to access the CURES database,  however,  a non-peace officer investigator may not.  SB 1258 does not grant access to the information in the CURES database, it simply allows  DCA non-peace officer investigators  to apply to the Department of Justice for access.

“SB 1258 potentially makes relevant information in the state’s possession available to people conducting investigations on the state’s behalf,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.

SB 1258 passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-1 vote.  On April 17, 2014, it cleared the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee.