CaliforniaCrimes: sexual exploitation: clergy.
What it does
Existing law prohibits the touching of an intimate part, as defined, of another person if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse.
More detail
Existing law makes a physician and surgeon, psychotherapist, or alcohol and drug abuse counselor who engages in specified sexual acts or sexual contact with a patient or client guilty of sexual exploitation and makes a violation of those provisions a crime, except as specified, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.
This bill would make a member of the clergy, as defined, who engages in specified sexual acts or contact with a current or former patient, client, or member of the congregation, as specified, guilty of sexual exploitation by a member of the clergy. The bill would specify that consent is not a defense to a violation of that provision and would make the crime punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 14In committee: Held under submission.Latest
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 23Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 22Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 21From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (April 21).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.Minor
- Apr 16Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 15From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 14).Major
- Apr 14
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Business and Professions]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
- Mar 24In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
- Mar 10Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Mar 9From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 9Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and B. & P.Minor
- Feb 6From printer. May be heard in committee March 8.
- Feb 5Read first time. To print.Introduced