LEGISLATURE OKS LIMIT ON INFORMANTS

Law Enforcement:The bill was prompted by the slaying of a Brea teen who
worked undercover for police.

The death of a teen-age police informant from Brea that sparked controversy
over using juveniles as undercover agents led state lawmakers Friday to
send a bill to Gov. Pete Wilson that would limit the practice.

"It's just good policy. We shouldn't be putting kids in harm's way to fight
our war on drugs," said Assemblyman Scott Baugh, R-Huntington Beach, who
authored the bill in reaction to the March beating and strangulation of
Chad MacDonald.

The state Assembly voted 70-1 to send the bill to Wilson, who is expected
to sign it into law. The Senate voted 37-0 for "Chad's Law" on Thursday.

The bill would prohibit police from using anyone 12 or younger as an
undercover informant. Teen-agers 13 to 17 could work as informants with the
approval of their parents and a judge.

MacDonald was 17 when Brea police arrested him in January for possessing
about one-half ounce of methamphetamine. At the urging of police and with
his mother's approval, MacDonald agreed to work undercover for police
instead of facing prosecution in juvenile court.

He made one buy - while detectives listened through a hidden "wire" - and
gave police information about other dealers. MacDonald was no longer
working as an informant when he was killed, but witnesses said the killers
called him a "snith."

Orange County law enforcement agencies have said they support the
legislation because it offers them guidance.

MacDonald's survivors have sued Brea police, contending detectives misled
the youth and his mother. Brea police have denied that.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan