Bill > AB237

This bill adds Section 422.3 to the California Penal Code to expand existing laws concerning criminal threats, specifically targeting threats made to specific locations like daycares, schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and medical facilities. Under the new law, it would be a crime for a person to willfully threaten, through any means including internet posts or images, to commit a crime that could result in death or great bodily injury at these locations, even if they do not intend to actually carry out the threat. The threat must be unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific enough to cause the threatened person to be in sustained fear for their own safety or the safety of others at the specified location. For individuals 18 years and older, the crime would be a "wobbler" - meaning it could be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, potentially resulting in up to one year in county jail or 16 months to 3 years in county jail. For individuals under 18, the offense would be a misdemeanor. The bill also clarifies that prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under other existing laws, and the state will not be required to reimburse local agencies for costs associated with implementing this new law.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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