TEEN-AGE INFORMANTS LAW

No action by any human being ca return Chad MacDonald of Brea to his family
and friends. But a bill passed by the state Legislature Friday could make
it less likely that people his age will be put in harm's way as he was.
Given the huge majorities by which the state Senate and Assembly passed
"Chad's Law," which places serious restrictions on the use by police of
informants younger than 18, Governor Wilson is likely to sign the bill,
giving the MacDonald family something lasting and constructive to hang onto
when considering his bittersweet legacy.

Chad MacDonald was 17 in January when he was arrested for possession of
about a half-ounce of amphetamine and Brea police suggested he might avoid
prosecution if he became an undercover informant. His mother consented -
reluctantly, she says - and Chad started giving police information and wore
a wire during at least one drug-buying meeting. The police say he was no
longer working for them when he visited a drug house in Paramount, but
witnesses say those who beat and killed him called him a "snitch."

Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh introduced a bill to prohibit police
from using people younger than 15 for undercover work, and to put in place
stricter guidelines for those aged 15 to 17. During committee hearings the
age was reduced to 13 and the advisory procedure was refined. Youngsters
aged 15 and 16 who participate in "stings" to catch those selling tobacco
to teen-agers were exempted. Some law enforcement agencies that had been
inclined to oppose the bill came to support it because it offered firm
guidelines in an area of police work where few clear guidelines had
existed.

Under the new law, a 17-year-old still can be an undercover informant, but
only after a more rigorous process in which a court would clearly lay out
the pros and cons to youngsters and their parents and have a final veto
power.

For a while it looked as if the bill would get bottled up, but on Thursday
the state Senate approved it 37-0; on Friday the Assembly agreed to the
Senate version by a 70-1 vote. Assemblyman Baugh's office told us Monday
that the final count was 77-1 by the time Assembly members who had not cast
votes in person were given time to register votes later.

A constructive response to a tragedy doesn't eliminate the pain and regret.
But if fewer teen-agers are placed in potentially dangerous circumstances
as a result of this law some solace might be found.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson