Sexual battery.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Pacheco
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill has passed both chambers but its final status and any executive action are unknown.

Expanding Laws on Sexual Battery

The bill makes it illegal to enter someone's home without permission and touch them in private areas for sexual reasons, which can now be punished as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

What This Bill Does

Adds entering an inhabited dwelling (like a house) without consent to the definition of sexual battery if the person touches another’s intimate parts against their will for sexual reasons.
Makes this new offense punishable by law, allowing it to be treated as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Includes technical changes to align with existing laws.

Who It Names or Affects

People who commit sexual battery by entering someone's home or inhabited place without permission and touching private parts against the will of another person.
Law enforcement officers who enforce these laws.

Terms To Know

Inhabited dwelling: A place where people live, such as a house, trailer coach, or the inhabited part of any other building.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime that can result in fines and jail time for up to one year.
Felony: A more serious crime that can lead to prison sentences of over a year.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact penalties or fines for violating this new law.
It is unclear how local agencies will be affected by these changes beyond the stated lack of reimbursement requirements.
The bill has passed both chambers but its final status and any executive action are unknown.

Bill History

2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-03-12 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-11 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-03-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 10).
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-06 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 8.
2026-02-05 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1741, as amended, Pacheco.
Sexual battery.
Existing law defines sexual battery as the touching of any intimate part of another person, if the touching is against the will of the person touched and for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse. A violation of this provision is punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill would add to the definition of sexual battery the entering of an inhabited dwelling, as defined, and touching the intimate part of another against the will of the person touched for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse. The bill would make this offense punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.
This bill would make a violation of the above provision punishable as a misdemeanor or a
felony if the person entered an inhabited dwelling house or trailer coach, as defined, or the inhabited portion of any other building without consent.
By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make other technical, conforming changes.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF