AB 1545: Sexually violent predators.
This bill amends existing law to expand the definition of a sexually violent predator. It requires the secretary of the department of corrections and rehabilitation to refer a person in custody who may be a sexually violent predator for evaluation by the state department of state hospitals at least 6 months prior to release. The bill also requires the executive officer of the board of parole hearings to make this referral for individuals serving an indeterminate sentence. Additionally, the bill authorizes the secretary or executive officer to refer a person for evaluation if they will be scheduled for a parole hearing within 6 months. The bill imposes a state-mandated local program by requiring counties to commit persons as sexually violent predators and provides for reimbursement of costs mandated by the state.
| May. 14, 2026 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May. 06, 2026 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr. 22, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr. 22, 2026 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar. 10, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Amended IN Assembly March 09, 2026 |
| Introduced by Assembly (Coauthor: Senator Niello) |
January 05, 2026 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
Existing laws provide for increased punishments for certain crimes committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more specified actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including, but not limited to, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
This bill would provide enhanced penalties for the commission of an offense that is a targeted attack on a person who is reasonably identifiable as a journalist, as defined, or on property reasonably identifiable as belonging to a journalist or the entity that journalist represents. The bill would define “targeted attack” as a criminal offense that is motivated by the victim’s status as a journalist or intended to interfere with a journalist in the performance of their work as a journalist. If the underlying offense is a felony, the bill would create an enhancement punishable by an additional term of one, two, or three years imprisonment, as provided. The bill would authorize a court to strike any additional term imposed by this section if the court determines that there are mitigating circumstances and states on the record the reasons for striking the additional punishment.
By creating a new sentencing enhancement, the 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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 6600 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:6600.
As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:(B)A conviction for an offense described in subdivision (b) that was committed prior to July 1, 1977, and that resulted in an indeterminate prison sentence.
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)