AB-229
Justice & Public Safety

Criminal procedure: Sexually transmitted disease testing.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands court-ordered STD testing of defendants beyond HIV to include all sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Allows parents or guardians of minor victims to request testing and receive test results.
  • Adds sexual crimes against children under 10 and detained persons to offenses eligible for testing.
  • Requires professional counseling when positive test results are disclosed to victims or defendants.

Summary

Assembly Member Davies proposes expanding California's court-authorized sexually transmitted disease testing in criminal cases beyond HIV to include a comprehensive range of STDs, while extending test result access to parents and guardians of minor victims. The legislation modifies existing procedures that allow courts to order testing when probable cause exists that bodily fluids were transferred during specified sex crimes.

The bill adds two categories of offenses that qualify for court-ordered STD testing: sexual acts with children under 10 years old and sexual activity with persons in health or detention facilities. Under the amended provisions, courts may require testing for diseases including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, human papillomavirus, trichomoniasis, and syphilis when issuing search warrants. Local health officers must administer the tests and disclose confirmed results to victims and defendants, accompanied by professional counseling for positive results.

Parents, guardians, and legal representatives of minor victims receive authority to request testing and manage results on behalf of the victim. The legislation maintains existing confidentiality requirements while permitting victims and their authorized representatives to share results as needed to protect health and safety. Test results remain inadmissible as evidence of guilt or innocence in criminal proceedings, and individuals who disclose results in compliance with the law receive immunity from civil liability.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/13/2025)

Latest Voting History

March 4, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8019PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands court-ordered STD testing of defendants beyond HIV to include all sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Allows parents or guardians of minor victims to request testing and receive test results.
  • Adds sexual crimes against children under 10 and detained persons to offenses eligible for testing.
  • Requires professional counseling when positive test results are disclosed to victims or defendants.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Davies proposes expanding California's court-authorized sexually transmitted disease testing in criminal cases beyond HIV to include a comprehensive range of STDs, while extending test result access to parents and guardians of minor victims. The legislation modifies existing procedures that allow courts to order testing when probable cause exists that bodily fluids were transferred during specified sex crimes.

The bill adds two categories of offenses that qualify for court-ordered STD testing: sexual acts with children under 10 years old and sexual activity with persons in health or detention facilities. Under the amended provisions, courts may require testing for diseases including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, human papillomavirus, trichomoniasis, and syphilis when issuing search warrants. Local health officers must administer the tests and disclose confirmed results to victims and defendants, accompanied by professional counseling for positive results.

Parents, guardians, and legal representatives of minor victims receive authority to request testing and manage results on behalf of the victim. The legislation maintains existing confidentiality requirements while permitting victims and their authorized representatives to share results as needed to protect health and safety. Test results remain inadmissible as evidence of guilt or innocence in criminal proceedings, and individuals who disclose results in compliance with the law receive immunity from civil liability.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/13/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

March 4, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8019PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member