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SB-421 • 2026

Criminal procedure: protective orders.

Criminal procedure: protective orders.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Valladares
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on what 'other conforming changes' entail, so it was removed from the explanation.

Protective Orders for Serious Crimes

The bill allows courts to issue permanent protective orders against people convicted of serious or violent felonies and certain sex offenses, and requires the development of forms and rules related to these orders.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows courts to give permanent protective orders if someone is found guilty of a serious or violent felony or a crime that needs them to register as a sex offender.
  • Permits courts to extend existing temporary protective orders permanently under certain conditions.
  • Requires the Judicial Council to create forms, instructions, and rules for these new types of protective orders.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Victims who need protection from people convicted of serious crimes
  • Courts that issue protective orders
  • People convicted of serious or violent felonies and certain sex offenses

Terms To Know

Serious Felony
A crime that is considered very dangerous or harmful.
Violent Felony
A crime involving force or the threat of force against someone.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long it will take for the Judicial Council to create new forms and rules.
  • It is unclear exactly which local agencies might be affected by this law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    April 1 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 2. Noes 3. Page 611.) Reconsideration granted.

  3. 2025-03-18 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 1.

  4. 2025-02-26 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  5. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.

  6. 2025-02-18 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 421, as introduced, Valladares.
Criminal procedure: protective orders.
Existing law allows the court to issue a protective order restraining a defendant from any contact with the victim if the defendant has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, human trafficking, a crime in furtherance of a criminal street gang, or a registerable sex offense. Under existing law, the protective order may be valid for up to 10 years, as determined by the court.
This bill would additionally allow the court to issue a permanent protective order restraining a defendant from any contact with the victim if the defendant has been convicted of any serious or violent felony, as defined, or any felony requiring registration as a sex offender. The bill would also authorize the court to permanently extend certain previously issued orders under certain circumstances. The bill would require the Judicial Council to develop forms,
instructions, and rules relating to these orders.
The bill would make other conforming changes.
By authorizing the issuance of protective orders in certain circumstances and the extension of certain protective orders, a violation of which is punishable as a crime, 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