AB-229 • 2026

Criminal procedure: Sexually transmitted disease testing.

Children Crime Education Parental Rights

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Davies
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how test results will be used or shared, nor does it specify who is responsible for paying for the STD tests.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing in Criminal Cases

AB-229 allows courts to issue search warrants to test defendants for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and expands the types of crimes where this can happen.

What This Bill Does

Allows a court to order testing of a defendant for any STD if requested by a victim in certain cases.
Expands the list of sex crimes that allow courts to issue search warrants for testing defendants for HIV or other STDs.
Includes new crimes like sexual acts with children under 10 and sex with people confined in health or detention facilities.
Permits parents, guardians, or legal representatives of minor victims to receive and share test results.

Who It Names or Affects

Victims of sexual crimes
Defendants accused of sex crimes
Parents or guardians of minor victims

Terms To Know

Search warrant: A legal document that allows police to search a person's property for evidence.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD): An infection passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how the test results will be used or shared.
The bill does not explain who pays for the STD tests.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-04 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 4). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-02-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-02-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-01-14 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 13.
2025-01-13 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 229, as amended, Davies.
Criminal procedure: Sexually transmitted disease testing.
Existing law authorizes a court to issue a search warrant, at the request of a victim and in specified circumstances, to test the accused’s blood or oral mucosal transudate saliva with an HIV test for the primary purpose of informing the victim whether the defendant is infected with the HIV virus. Existing law authorizes a victim to disclose test results received as the victim deems necessary to protect the victim’s health and safety or to protect the health and safety of the victim’s family or sexual partner. Improper disclosure of test results is a crime.
This bill would authorize a search warrant to require testing a defendant for any sexually transmitted disease. The bill would also authorize the parent or guardian of a minor victim or the legal representative of a victim to exercise any of the rights conferred by these provisions,
including receiving and disclosing test results. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law, when the defendant has been charged with a specified sex crime, authorizes the court to issue a search warrant for testing when requested by a victim of an uncharged sex offense.
This bill would add engaging in sexual acts with a child under 10 years of age and sex with a person confined to a health facility or detention facility to the crimes to which this provision applies.
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