Crimes: threats.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill expands California’s laws regarding threats, creating a new crime for individuals who willfully threaten to commit crimes – including those depicted in images or posted online – at specific locations like daycare centers, schools, workplaces, and places of worship. The threat must be unequivocal, immediate, and specific enough to cause a reasonable fear of harm, even if the person doesn’t intend to carry it out. Penalties vary depending on the offender’s age, with services required for minors and potential jail time for adults.
Key provisions
- Creates a new crime (422.3) for willful threats of violence at specified locations.
- Threats can be conveyed through various means, including images and online postings.
- The threat must be unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific to cause reasonable fear.
- Penalties for adults 18 or older are imprisonment in county jail for up to one year or imprisonment in state prison.
- For individuals under 18, the bill mandates referral to specified services if eligible, otherwise, the offense is treated as a misdemeanor.
- The bill does not prevent prosecution under other applicable laws.
- Certain costs associated with implementing this law are exempt from state reimbursement.
- The Commission on State Mandates will determine if other costs require reimbursement.
Who is affected
- Individuals who make threatening statements.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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8 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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