Washington (CNN) California's Democratic governor on Monday approved one of the the strictest police deadly force measures in the country, which says officers in the state can only use lethal force if it would prevent a suspect from killing or harming the officer or another person.

State law previously allowed the use of extreme force when attempting to arrest someone or prevent them from escaping. The law comes as Democratic and progressive lawmakers and activists in the state look for ways to rein in police following the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in Sacramento last year.

"(The legislation is) important because we can't accept the status quo. The idea that over 100 people -- 162 people in 2017 -- were killed in police shootings in the state of California is unacceptable. It's not good for law enforcement and it's certainly not good for individuals in the communities that have been disproportionately impacted," Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN's Van Jones in an interview that aired on "Newsroom."

"I just can't sit by and watch another 100 human beings -- another 150 human beings lose their lives to excessive force," added Newsom, who described the measure as being "profoundly significant."

The legislation, which cleared the California state Senate last month and was passed by the state's assembly in late May, says when possible, officers must use "other available resources and techniques" to address threats instead of using deadly force. Its approval raises California's deadly force standard to one of the highest in the nation.

Read More