AB 2099: Crimes: reproductive health services.

Existing law makes it a crime to post personal information or an image of a reproductive health care services patient, provider, or assistant, or other individuals residing at the same home address with the intent that another person imminently use that information to commit a crime involving violence or a threat of violence against the reproductive health care services patient, provider, or assistant, or other individuals residing at the same home address. Existing law makes a violation of this provision punishable as a misdemeanor. If the violation leads to bodily injury of the person, existing law makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in a county jail, a fine of up to $50,000, or both that fine and imprisonment.

This bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable as either a misdemeanor or as a felony, and would make a violation a felony if bodily injury occurs. By increasing the punishment for a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to, by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten another person in the free exercise or enjoyment of a right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of this state or by the Constitution or laws of the United States in whole or in part because of one or more of specified actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including disability, gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation.

This bill would make a violation of this provision punishable either as a misdemeanor or as a felony. By increasing the punishment for a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law, the California Freedom of Access to Clinic and Church Entrances Act (the Act), prohibits specified actions that, by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction, impede access to reproductive health services facilities, as defined. Existing law specifies the penalties for a violation of the Act, including imprisonment as a misdemeanor and specified fines.

This bill would increase the penalties for violations of the Act, including making specified violations punishable as either a misdemeanor or as a felony. By increasing the punishment for 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.