All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 5352025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Threatening a witness: assisting a prosecution.
Sponsored By: Pilar Schiavo (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Harsher penalties for violent interference
Interfering with a witness or victim is a felony when done with force or threats, as part of a conspiracy, after a prior conviction, or for pay at someone’s request. The felony carries two, three, or four years in state prison. If serious bodily injury occurs, the court can add a great bodily injury enhancement. Using force is also an aggravating factor that can raise the sentence.
Stronger rules against silencing witnesses
The law makes it a crime to knowingly and maliciously stop a witness or victim from testifying. It also bans trying to stop victims or witnesses from reporting crimes, helping start a case, helping a prosecution, or seeking an arrest. Attempts are crimes even if they fail, and no injury or actual intimidation is required. A conviction can bring up to one year in county jail or time in state prison.
Family help presumed not malicious
If a family member steps in to protect a witness or victim, the law presumes they acted without malice. This presumption can make it harder to convict that family member for interference.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Pilar Schiavo
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Nick Schultz
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/8/2025
Item 271 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 39 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/7/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/24/2025
Vote in CS72
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 6/2/2025
Item 109 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 79 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 14 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/25/2025
Vote in CX18
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 373, Statutes of 2025.
10/6/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/6/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
9/15/2025legislatureIn Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
9/8/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2613.).
9/8/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7/7/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/24/2025SenateReferred to Com. on PUB. S.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1835.)
6/2/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
4/9/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/26/2025HouseCoauthors revised.
3/26/2025HouseReferred to Com. on PUB. S.
2/24/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2/12/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
2/11/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/6/2025
Enrolled
9/10/2025
Introduced
2/11/2025