Back to California

AB-1396 • 2026

Crimes: sexual assault.

Crimes: sexual assault.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Macedo
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states 'for a specified reason' regarding reimbursement but does not list what that specific reason is within the provided summary or digest.

AB-1396: Stricter Punishment for Assault on Dependent Persons

This law adds prison sentences of 5, 7, or 9 years for caretakers who assault dependent persons with the intent to commit serious crimes like mayhem or rape.

What This Bill Does

  • Sets a punishment of 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison under existing law for assaulting someone with the intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, or oral copulation.
  • Increases that punishment to 5, 7, or 9 years if the victim is under 18 years old.
  • Adds a new rule requiring 5, 7, or 9 years in prison for these same assaults when committed against a dependent person by their caretaker or other adult with care or custody of them.
  • Applies this penalty only if the adult knows or should reasonably know that the victim is a dependent person.
  • States that no state reimbursement will be given to local agencies for costs created by this new law.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Caretakers and adults who have care or custody of dependent persons.
  • Dependent persons as defined by existing law.
  • Local government agencies that handle state-mandated programs, though they will not receive reimbursement for this act.

Terms To Know

Assault with intent
Attacking someone while planning to commit a specific serious crime like mayhem or rape.
Dependent person
A person defined by existing law who relies on others for care, though the exact definition is not listed in this text.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not define exactly what makes someone a 'dependent person' beyond referring to existing definitions.
  • The specific reason why no reimbursement is required is mentioned but not explained in the provided text, only that it is for a specified reason.
  • No effective date for when this law begins is listed in the source material.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Crimes: sexual assault.