California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB 1739
Crimes: sexual exploitation: clergy.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Ward (Democratic)
Cosponsors (3)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
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.
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.
Text versions
- 04/22/26 - Amended Assembly· Apr 22, 2026
- 04/16/26 - Amended Assembly· Apr 16, 2026
- 03/09/26 - Amended Assembly· Mar 9, 2026
- 02/05/26 - Introduced· Feb 5, 2026
- AB1739
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2026 House | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 14, 2026 House | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Business and Professions] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- May 14, 2026 · House
In committee: Held under submission. - May 6, 2026 · House
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. - Apr 23, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 22, 2026 · House
Read second time and amended. - Apr 21, 2026 · House
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (April 21). - Apr 20, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. - Apr 16, 2026 · House
Read second time and amended. - Apr 15, 2026 · House
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 14). - Apr 7, 2026 · House
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. - Mar 24, 2026 · House
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. - Mar 10, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. - Mar 9, 2026 · House
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended. - Mar 9, 2026 · House
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and B. & P. - Feb 6, 2026 · House
From printer. May be heard in committee March 8. - Feb 5, 2026 · House
Read first time. To print.