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CaliforniaAB 8482025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Sexual battery.

Sponsored By: Esmeralda Soria (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Criminal penalties for sexual battery

The law makes it a crime to touch an intimate part of someone who is unlawfully restrained, or who is institutionalized and seriously disabled or medically incapacitated, when it is for sexual purposes and against their will. It is also a crime if the person was tricked by a false claim that the touching was for a professional purpose. Causing someone to masturbate or to touch an intimate part in these situations is a crime too. For these aggravated acts, judges can impose up to 1 year in county jail and up to a $2,000 fine, or treat it as a felony with 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Separately, the law punishes basic nonconsensual sexual touching as a misdemeanor with up to 6 months in county jail, up to a $2,000 fine, or both.

Harsher punishment for repeat abuse of minors

If a person commits sexual battery against a minor and already has a prior felony conviction under this law, it is a felony. The penalty is 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Clearer definitions and charging rules

The law defines what “touches” means for different parts of the statute. For (a)–(d), it is contact with the skin, directly or through the offender’s clothing. For (e), contact through either person’s clothing also counts. It defines “intimate part,” “seriously disabled,” “medically incapacitated,” “institutionalized,” and “minor.” Prosecutors can also charge other crimes that cover the same conduct.

Tougher penalties for employer and hospital abuse

Courts treat it as an aggravating factor at felony sentencing if the offender was the victim’s employer. It is also an aggravating factor if the offender worked at the hospital where the crime happened and the victim was in their care or seeking care. When an employer commits a misdemeanor sexual battery against an employee, the maximum fine is $3,000 and jail time of up to 6 months still applies. Any fine amount over $2,000 is sent to the State Treasury after all fines, including restitution, are paid in full. Those funds are, if the Legislature later approves, distributed to the Civil Rights Department to enforce job harassment laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Esmeralda Soria

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 236 • No: 0

House vote • 9/8/2025

Item 34 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 78 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/4/2025

Item 447 — 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 178 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 77 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 14 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/22/2025

Vote in CX18

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 625, Statutes of 2025.

    10/11/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/11/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.

    9/15/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 3032.).

    9/8/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/4/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2522.).

    9/4/2025Senate

  7. Ordered to special consent calendar.

    9/2/2025Senate

  8. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025Senate

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/29/2025Senate

  10. In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    7/7/2025Senate

  11. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    6/25/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 24).

    6/24/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    6/11/2025Senate

  14. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    6/3/2025Senate

  15. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1858.)

    6/2/2025House

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025House

  17. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025House

  18. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    5/7/2025House

  19. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/29/2025House

  20. Read second time and amended.

    4/28/2025House

  21. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 22).

    4/24/2025House

  22. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

    4/1/2025House

  23. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    3/19/2025House

  24. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

    3/18/2025House

  25. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    3/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/11/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/25/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    4/28/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    3/18/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    HTML

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