AB 352

This bill amends California’s law regarding criminal threats. It clarifies that a willful threat to cause death or great bodily injury, when communicated in a way that causes a reasonable fear for safety, is a crime punishable by either jail time or state prison. Specifically, the bill allows courts to consider, as a factor increasing the severity of a felony sentence, if the threat was directed at a state constitutional officer, a member of the legislature, or a judge or court commissioner. The bill also defines key terms related to the threat, such as ‘immediate family’ and ‘electronic communication device.’