Threats: schools and places of worship.

Senator Rubio's Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act establishes new criminal penalties for threats made against individuals at educational institutions and religious facilities in California. The legislation creates a distinct category of criminal threats specifically targeting schools and places of worship, while maintaining separate penalties for adults and minors.

Under the new provisions, individuals who make threats of death or great bodily injury to anyone who may be present at a school or place of worship face misdemeanor charges punishable by up to one year in county jail or felony charges under existing sentencing guidelines. The law applies to threats made through any means, including electronic communications. Minors who make such threats would face misdemeanor charges only. The bill defines schools broadly to include preschools through universities as well as school-sponsored events, while places of worship encompass buildings where religious services regularly occur.

The legislation prevents defendants from being convicted under both this new section and existing criminal threat statutes for the same incident. Local agencies and school districts would not receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these provisions, as the bill only modifies criminal penalties rather than creating new administrative requirements.