Source: NBC Bay Area via Bay City News
State Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) on Wednesday announced he's proposed legislation to decriminalize jaywalking, which he said, is often arbitrarily enforced and disproportionately affects people of color.
Assembly Bill 2147, The Freedom to Walk Act, would decriminalize jaywalking when the roadway is clear to cross.
The bill, authored by Ting, is the assemblyman's second attempt to decriminalize jaywalking in California. In March 2021, Ting introduced the similar AB 1238, but the bill was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"It's time to reconsider how we use our law enforcement resources and whether our jaywalking laws really do protect pedestrians, especially when we are trying to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk more for health and environmental reasons," Ting said during a briefing.