AB-1134
Civil Rights & Liberties

Coerced marriage.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands legal protections against forced marriages by allowing victims to challenge marriages beyond the 4-year limit.
  • Requires courts to accept late marriage nullification petitions if victims of forced marriage show good cause.
  • Criminalizes forced marriage equally regardless of the victim's age at the time of the offense.

Summary

Assembly Member Bains proposes changes to California's marriage laws that would modify how courts handle forced marriage cases and expand protections for victims. The legislation creates new options for individuals seeking to nullify forced marriages by allowing courts to consider petitions filed beyond the standard four-year deadline if good cause can be demonstrated.

The bill revises criminal statutes addressing forced marriage to ensure uniform application regardless of the victim's age at the time of the incident. It also requires the Judicial Council to update or create forms necessary for implementing the new nullification petition process. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, providing time for the judicial system to prepare for the modified procedures.

The measure maintains existing penalties for compelling someone to marry against their will through force, menace, or duress while eliminating outdated language. Under current law, victims must file for marriage nullification within four years, but this legislation creates a pathway for courts to hear cases beyond that timeframe when circumstances warrant an exception.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 1134 Bains Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Jasmeet Bains
Jasmeet BainsD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands legal protections against forced marriages by allowing victims to challenge marriages beyond the 4-year limit.
  • Requires courts to accept late marriage nullification petitions if victims of forced marriage show good cause.
  • Criminalizes forced marriage equally regardless of the victim's age at the time of the offense.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Jasmeet Bains
Jasmeet BainsD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Bains proposes changes to California's marriage laws that would modify how courts handle forced marriage cases and expand protections for victims. The legislation creates new options for individuals seeking to nullify forced marriages by allowing courts to consider petitions filed beyond the standard four-year deadline if good cause can be demonstrated.

The bill revises criminal statutes addressing forced marriage to ensure uniform application regardless of the victim's age at the time of the incident. It also requires the Judicial Council to update or create forms necessary for implementing the new nullification petition process. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, providing time for the judicial system to prepare for the modified procedures.

The measure maintains existing penalties for compelling someone to marry against their will through force, menace, or duress while eliminating outdated language. Under current law, victims must file for marriage nullification within four years, but this legislation creates a pathway for courts to hear cases beyond that timeframe when circumstances warrant an exception.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 1134 Bains Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member