Crimes: strangulation.

Under existing law, a person who willfully inflicts corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon specified persons, including, among others, the offender's spouse or former spouse, is guilty of a crime, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2, 3, or 4 years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to $6,000. This bill would additionally make it a crime for a person to knowingly impede the normal breathing or bloodflow of one of those persons by applying pressure on the throat, neck, or chest of the person, or by obstructing the nose or mouth of the person. The bill would make this crime punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2, 3, or 4 years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to $6,000. By creating a new 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.