AB-355 • 2026

Crimes: extortion.

Crime Education Technology

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Sanchez
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 AI threats will be proven in court or specify which types of AI-generated content qualify as extortion under this law.

Expanding Extortion Laws to Include AI Threats

AB-355 updates California's extortion laws to include threats involving the posting, distribution, or creation of AI-generated images or videos.

What This Bill Does

Defines new types of threats that can lead to extortion under California law.
Adds threats related to posting, distributing, or creating AI-generated images or videos as potential tools for causing fear in extortion cases.
Specifies that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies due to this change.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use threats involving the posting, distribution, or creation of AI-generated images or videos to cause fear and obtain property or services from others.
Law enforcement and courts dealing with extortion cases involving new forms of technology.

Terms To Know

Extortion: A crime where someone uses force, threats, or false claims to get money, property, or favors from another person.
AI-generated images or videos: Pictures or video clips made by artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can look real but are not actual recordings of events.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how AI threats will be proven in court.
It is unclear what specific types of AI-generated content would qualify as extortion under this law.

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 9. Noes 0.) (March 4). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-01-31 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 2.
2025-01-30 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 355, as introduced, Sanchez.
Crimes: extortion.
Existing law defines extortion as the obtaining of property from another, with consent, or the obtaining of an official act of a public officer, induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right. Existing law further provides that fear sufficient to constitute extortion may be induced by certain threats, including a threat to accuse the threatened individual, or the individual’s relative or family, of a crime.
This bill would provide that a threat to post, distribute, or create AI-generated images or videos of another may also induce fear sufficient to constitute extortion. By expanding the crime of extortion, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
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