AB 1739: Crimes: sexual exploitation: clergy.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 14, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. April 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. April 22, 2026Read second time and amended.
5. April 21, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (April 21).
6. April 20, 2026Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
7. April 16, 2026Read second time and amended.
8. April 15, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 14).
9. April 7, 2026In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
10. March 24, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
11. March 10, 2026Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
12. March 9, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.