Bill > SB19

This bill adds Section 422.3 to the California Penal Code to expand existing laws about criminal threats, specifically targeting threats made against people at specific locations like daycares, schools, universities, workplaces, houses of worship, and medical facilities. The bill makes it a crime to willfully threaten violence at these locations through any means, including internet posts or images, even if the person making the threat does not intend to actually carry it out. To be considered a punishable threat, the communication must be unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific enough to make the threatened person reasonably fear for their own safety or the safety of others at that location. For individuals 18 and older, the crime is classified as a "wobbler" offense, meaning it can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor (up to one year in county jail) or a felony (16 months to 3 years in county jail). For individuals under 18, the bill requires referral to services if eligible, or misdemeanor prosecution if not. The bill also clarifies that prosecution under this new section does not prevent prosecution under other existing laws, and includes provisions about state reimbursement for any additional costs local governments might incur in implementing the law.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB19