Elections: elective office: felony conviction.

The definition of 'sexual assault' was changed from a specific list of Penal Code sections (261, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, 289, former 288a, 289.5) with explicit carve-outs for certain subdivisions, to a functional definition: any crime that requires sex offender registration under paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 290 of the Penal Code. This could broaden or narrow which offenses trigger disqualification depending on how those crimes map to the registration tier.

The explicit carve-outs excluding certain lower-level offenses (subdivision (b) of Section 286, subdivision (b) of Section 287, and subdivisions (h) or (i) of Section 289) were removed along with the old enumerated definition. Whether those offenses are still excluded now depends on whether they require registration under Section 290(d)(3).

Standard enrolled-bill formatting changes: removal of amendment history headers and line numbers, addition of passage dates (August 25, 2026), clerk signatures, and Governor approval block. No substantive policy effect.

A new Section 1 with legislative findings and declarations was added, citing #MeToo, #WeSaidEnough, the Epstein files investigation, and prior California laws (SB 1300, AB 933, AB 452, SB 848) as context for why the bill is needed. This does not change operative law but signals legislative intent.

The definition of 'sexual assault' in Elections Code Section 20 was expanded. Previously it only covered violations of specific enumerated Penal Code sections (261, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, 289, former 288a, 289.5). The amended version adds a catch-all: any crime that requires a person to register as a sex offender pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 290 of the Penal Code. This broadens which convicted offenders are disqualified from running for office.

In subsection (a), the phrase 'any crime of sexual assault' was shortened to simply 'sexual assault,' a minor drafting cleanup that aligns the operative text with the defined term.

The section that amends Elections Code Section 20 was renumbered from Section 1 to Section 2 to accommodate the new findings section.

The entire amendment to Elections Code Section 2022 regarding loss of California domicile upon moving to another state was removed from the bill.

The definition of 'human trafficking' was narrowed from any violation of Penal Code Section 236.1 to only violations of subdivision (b) or (c) of that section, excluding other subdivisions such as those covering labor trafficking.

A new exclusion was added stating that 'sexual assault' does not include a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 286 (spousal rape), subdivision (b) of Section 287 (rape by foreign substance or instrument), or subdivision (h) or (i) of Section 289 (forcible penetration with a foreign object in specified circumstances).

Formatting and line numbering adjustments throughout the bill, including removal of the REVISIONS note at the end.

A person convicted of a felony involving any crime of sexual assault or human trafficking (or conspiracy to commit those crimes) is now prohibited from being considered a candidate for, and is not eligible to be elected to, any state or local elective office. This expands the existing list which covered bribery, embezzlement, extortion, theft of public money, and perjury.

New definitions added: 'conviction of a felony' includes convictions from other states, federal, or foreign jurisdictions unless pardoned; 'human trafficking' means a violation of Penal Code Section 236.1; 'sexual assault' means a violation of Penal Code Sections 261, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, 289, or former Sections 288a or 289.5.

The bill's scope expanded from a single nonsubstantive domicile language fix to a significant eligibility restriction on candidates for all state and local elective offices based on sexual assault and human trafficking felony convictions.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva and Senator Rubio added as coauthors.