AB 2119: Criminal procedure: gender bias in sexual assault and domestic violence investigations.

Official summary

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

Existing law establishes specified rights for victims and witnesses of crimes, including to be notified or informed regarding specified court proceedings and the right to have a support person present at any interviews with law enforcement for a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. Existing law requires a law enforcement agency to inform a victim of the rights they may have.

This bill would state that a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence has the right to a fair, unbiased, and complete investigation by law enforcement. The bill would require a district attorney to establish a process for reviewing and investigating reported cases of sexual assault or domestic violence and would require that process to include a report to the victim explaining the decision whether or not to bring criminal accusations and which accusations to allege.

Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and requires the commission to create courses of training that must be completed by persons before those persons can become peace officers. The commission is also required to create guidelines and training courses for peace officers on specified law enforcement topics, including the investigation of domestic violence complaints and sexual assault.

This bill would require those courses and guidelines to include trauma-informed methods for responding to victims, gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language in reporting, and best practices for bias prevention. The bill would require the commission to prepare a course on gender bias in responding to reports of sexual assault and domestic violence and would require that course to adhere to guidance provided by the Department of Justice, as specified.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health and charges it with providing education and outreach to the public on various issues relating to public health, such as lyme disease, human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and hepatitis C.

This bill would require the department to develop materials to educate the public that all genders may be the victim of sexual assault and domestic violence, that all genders may perpetrate sexual assault and domestic violence, and that all genders have equal rights to safety, shelter, and legal protections and remedies.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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 16, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
4. April 9, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
5. April 8, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
6. April 8, 2026In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
7. April 6, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
8. March 26, 2026Read second time and amended.
9. March 25, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (March 24).
10. March 9, 2026Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.
11. February 19, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
12. February 18, 2026Read first time. To print.