Section 4031 Of Chapter 1. County Jails From California Penal Code >> Title 4. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1.
4031
. (a) This section applies to all minors detained in a juvenile
detention center on the grounds that he or she is a person described
in Section 300, 601, or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,
and all minors adjudged a ward of the court and held in a juvenile
detention center on the grounds he or she is a person described in
Section 300, 601, or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) Persons conducting a strip search or a visual body cavity
search shall not touch the breasts, buttocks, or genitalia of the
person being searched.
(c) A physical body cavity search shall be conducted under
sanitary conditions, and only by a physician, nurse practitioner,
registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or emergency medical
technician Level II licensed to practice in this state. A physician
engaged in providing health care to detainees, wards, and inmates of
the facility may conduct physical body cavity searches.
(d) A person conducting or otherwise present or within sight of
the inmate during a strip search or visual or physical body cavity
search shall be of the same sex as the person being searched, except
for physicians or licensed medical personnel.
(e) All strip searches and visual and physical body cavity
searches shall be conducted in an area of privacy so that the search
cannot be observed by persons not participating in the search.
Persons are considered to be participating in the search if their
official duties relative to search procedure require them to be
present at the time the search is conducted.
(f) A person who knowingly and willfully authorizes or conducts a
strip searches and visual or physical body cavity search in violation
of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the
common law or statutory rights of a person regarding an action for
damages or injunctive relief, or as precluding the prosecution under
another law of a peace officer or other person who has violated this
section.
(h) Any person who suffers damage or harm as a result of a
violation of this section may bring a civil action to recover actual
damages, or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is greater. In
addition, the court may, in its discretion, award punitive damages,
equitable relief as it deems necessary and proper, and costs,
including reasonable attorney's fees.
(i) This section does not limit the protections granted by Section
4030 to individuals described in subdivision (b) of that section.