Assembly BillFailedPenal
AB 355: Crimes: extortion.
What AB 355 does, verified February 3, 2026
The bill aims to amend the penal code to expand the definition of extortion. It would add a new element to the crime, making it a threat to post, distribute, or create AI-generated images or videos of another person sufficient to induce fear and constitute extortion. This expansion would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill does not require reimbursement for certain costs.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Mar. 04, 2025 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 4). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, January 30, 2025 · 476 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 355
| Introduced by Assembly Member Sanchez |
January 30, 2025 |
An act to amend Section 519 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 355, as introduced, Sanchez. Crimes: extortion.
Existing law defines extortion as the obtaining of property from another, with consent, or the obtaining of an official act of a public officer, induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right. Existing law further provides that fear sufficient to constitute extortion may be induced by certain threats, including a threat to accuse the threatened individual, or the individual’s relative or family, of a crime.
This bill would provide that a threat to post, distribute, or create AI-generated images or videos of another may also induce fear sufficient to constitute extortion. By expanding the crime of extortion, 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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 519 of the Penal Code is amended to read:519.
1.
(a) To do an unlawful injury to the person or property of the individual threatened or of a third person.
2.
(b) To accuse the individual threatened, or a relative of his the individual, or her, or a member of his or her their family, of a crime.
3.
(c) To expose, or to impute to him, her, the individual threatened, a relative of the individual, or them a member of their family, a deformity, disgrace, or crime.
4.
(d) To expose a secret affecting him, her, the individual threatened, a relative of the individual, or them. a member of their family.
5.
(e) To report his, her, the individual threatened, a relative of the individual, or a member of the individual’s family, of their immigration status or suspected immigration status.
(f) To post, distribute, or create AI-generated images or videos of another.
SEC. 2.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.Text of AB 355 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions