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: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide detailed information about the specific technical changes included in the bill.

Expanding Sexual Battery Laws

The bill makes it illegal to enter someone's home without permission and touch them in private areas for sexual reasons, which can be punished as a misdemeanor or 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 private parts against their will for sexual reasons.
Makes this new offense punishable by either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances.
Defines 'inhabited dwelling' as any building where people live and includes houses, trailers, and other living spaces.
States that local agencies do not need to be reimbursed for costs related to this new law.

Who It Names or Affects

People who commit sexual battery by entering someone's home without permission.
Law enforcement and courts dealing with these cases.
Victims of such crimes.

Terms To Know

Inhabited dwelling: A place where people live, like a house or trailer.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime that can result in jail time of up to one year and fines.
Felony: A more serious crime that can lead to prison sentences longer than a year and larger fines.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how local agencies will enforce the new law.
It is unclear what specific technical changes are being made, as they are described generally in the summary.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
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