(a) (1) A law enforcement agency shall not authorize the use of a carotid restraint or choke hold by any peace officer employed by that agency. (2) A law enforcement agency shall not authorize techniques or transport methods that involve a substantial risk of positional asphyxia. (b) As used in this section, the following terms are defined as follows: (1) âCarotid restraintâ means a vascular neck restraint or any similar restraint, hold, or other defensive tactic in which pressure is applied to the sides of a personâs neck that involves a substantial risk of restricting blood flow and may render the person unconscious in order to subdue or control the person. (2) âChoke holdâ means any defensive tactic or force option in which direct pressure is applied to a personâs trachea or windpipe. (3) âLaw enforcement agencyâ means any agency, department, or other entity of the state or any political subdivision thereof, that employs any peace officer described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code. (4) âPositional asphyxiaâ means situating a person in a manner that compresses their airway and reduces the ability to sustain adequate breathing. This includes, without limitation, the use of any physical restraint that causes a personâs respiratory airway to be compressed or impairs the personâs breathing or respiratory capacity, including any action in which pressure or body weight is unreasonably applied against a restrained personâs neck, torso, or back, or positioning a restrained person without reasonable monitoring for signs of asphyxia.
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