Bill banning cellphone disruption heads to Brown

(AP) Legislation that would ban government agencies from disrupting cellphone service without a court order is heading to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The state Senate approved SB1160 on a unanimous vote Monday. The Assembly passed the bill last week.

The bill by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of Los Angeles came in response to the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, which cut wireless service in San Francisco subway stations last year to disrupt a planned protest.

The shutdown sparked a global free speech debate.

Padilla says his bill protects the public's right to communication services unless an agency has a court order based on probable cause. The bill protects any service used for calling 911, including wireless and Internet-based services.

BART is supporting the bill.