2022 Legislation
A collective voice for sexual assault forensic examiners across California. Cal SAFE is dedicated to advocating for legislation that has an impact on the important work we do. We encourage you to stay informed and participate in our advocacy efforts because your membership in Cal SAFE helps keep our legislative presence strong.
To track California State Legislative Bills: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/
How to find your California legislative representatives: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Submit your position letters to committees as bills move through California’s legislative process: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
AB 2185 (Weber) – Forensic examinations: domestic violence
This bill would require that victims of domestic violence have access to medical evidentiary examinations, free of charge
- Requires each county to designate their approved SART, SAFE teams, or other qualified medical evidentiary examiners to receive reimbursement through Cal OES for the performance of medical evidentiary examinations for victims of domestic violence
- Requires Cal OES to directly reimburse exam teams
Cal SAFE position – Officially SUPPORTED
Legislative Women’s Caucus Priority Bill
Passed in the Assembly and Senate
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
AB 2850 (Berman) – Statewide Sexual Assault Response Team Advisory Council
This bill would have establishd a statewide sexual assault response team (SART) advisory council for the purpose of promoting a prompt, multi-disciplinary, and victim-centered response to sexual assault.
SPONSORED by Cal SAFE
Officially supported by the California Attorney General, Rob Bonta
Died in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations
AB 2790 (Wicks) – Reporting of crimes: Mandated reporters
This bill would amend PC 11160 – to remove the requirement that a health practitioner make a report to law enforcement when they suspect a patient has suffered physical injury caused by assaultive/abusive conduct and sexual assault
- The bill would mandate that a health practitioner report to LE only if the injury was caused by a firearm or if the patient consents
- This bill would only apply to adults 18 + years of age
- The bill would instead require a health care practitioner who suspects that a patient has suffered physical injury that is caused by domestic violence or sexual assault, as defined, to provide brief counseling and a referral to local and national domestic violence or sexual violence advocacy services, as specified
Cal SAFE position – Officially OPPOSED – Cal SAFE worked extensively with the author and sponsors to find language that would provide protections for patients
Passed in the Assembly
Died in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
SB 916 (Leyva) – Sexual assault: Victim’s rights
This bill would make survivors’ access to the state tracking system, SAFE-T clear in law that was established with SB 215 in 2021. The bill would require the card law enforcement must give survivors to include a statement that a court may not imprison or otherwise confine or place in custody a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence for refusing to testify.
Passed in the Senate and Assembly
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
SB 1228 (Wiener) – Criminal procedure: DNA samples
An act to amend Section 680 of, and to add Section 299.3 to, the Penal Code, relating to criminal procedure.
- This bill would create procedures for reference samples of DNA from a victim of or witness to a crime or alleged crime, and to reference samples of DNA from intimate partners or family members of a victim or witness voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion
- DNA profile has been voluntarily provided for purposes of exclusion shall have their searchable database profile expunged from all public and private databases if the person has no past or present offense or pending charge which qualifies that person for inclusion within the state’s DNA and Forensic Identification Database and Databank Program.
- This bill would prohibiting a victim’s DNA profile that is collected from being used for any purpose other than aiding in the incident being investigated
- Law enforcement agencies and their agents shall use these DNA samples or profiles only for purposes directly related to the incident being investigated.
Cal SAFE position – NEUTRAL
Passed in the Senate and Assembly
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
SB 1171 (Caballero) Hearsay evidence: Exceptions: Medical Diagnosis or treatment
This bill would make an exception to the hearsay rule for certain statements for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment made by a domestic violence victim describing any act, or attempted act, of domestic violence
Cal SAFE position – Officially SUPPORTED
Passed in the Senate
Referred to Public Safety and Judiciary – hearing canceled at request of the author
AB 2137 (Maienschein) Family Justice Centers
This bill would require family justice centers to provide their clients with educational materials relating to Gun Violence Restraining Orders in addition to domestic violence restraining orders, and other legal avenues of protection for victims and their families, if appropriate
Cal SAFE position – NEUTRAL
Passed in the Assembly and Senate
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
AB 2777 (Wicks) Civil: Sexual Assault SOL
This bill would offer two pathways for sexual assault victims to revive their claims in civil court
- Revives claim seeking to recover damages arising out of a sexual assault or other inappropriate contact, communication, or activity of a sexual nature that would otherwise be barred before January 1, 2023, solely because the applicable statute of limitations has or had expired. Specifies that such a cause of action may proceed if already pending in court on January 1, 2023, or, if not filed by that date, may be commenced between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
- Additionally, this bill revives claims of a sexual assault or other inappropriate contact, communication, or activity of a sexual nature and a cover up associated to the allegation occurred.
Cal SAFE position – Officially SUPPORTED
Passed in the Assembly and Senate
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
AB 2683 (Gabriel) Student Sexual Assault Training
Requires the California Community Colleges (CCSs), California State University (CSU), independent institutions of higher education that receive state financial assistance, and private postsecondary educational institutions that receive state financial assistance, and requests Unversity of California (UC), to train its students on sexual violence and sexual harassment, beginning on September 1, 2024, and annually thereafter.
Cal SAFE position – NEUTRAL
Passed in the Assembly and Senate
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered
AB 1968 (Seyarto) Campus Sexual Assault Reporting Procedure
This bill requires the CSU and requests UC to develop content and presentation standards and a model internet website template regarding the steps a student who is a victim of sexual assault may take immediately following the assault
Cal SAFE position – NEUTRAL
Passed in the Assembly and Senate
Approved by the Governor and Chaptered