Bill > AB237

This bill expands existing California law regarding criminal threats by making it illegal to willfully threaten to commit a crime that could result in death or great bodily injury at specific locations like daycares, schools, universities, workplaces, houses of worship, and medical facilities. The threat can be made through any means, including online platforms or images, and must be sufficiently specific and unequivocal as to cause the threatened person(s) to be in sustained fear for their safety, even if the person making the threat does not actually intend to carry it out. For individuals 18 and older, the crime would be a "wobbler" offense, meaning it could be charged as either a misdemeanor (with up to one year in county jail) or a felony (with 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 specifies that prosecution under this law does not prevent prosecution under other existing laws, and ensures that a person cannot be convicted for the same threat under multiple statutes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions related to state reimbursement for local agencies, indicating that no additional reimbursement is required for costs associated with creating or changing criminal penalties.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB237