AB 2237 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Probation: term length.

Summary
Existing law, the Sex Offender Registration Act (act) , requires a person convicted of specified crimes to register with law enforcement as a sex offender while residing in California or while attending school or working in California, as specified. Existing law establishes 3 tiers of registration based on specified criteria, for periods of at least 10 years, at least 20 years, and life, respectively, for a conviction of specified sex offenses. Existing law authorizes courts that have jurisdiction in misdemeanor cases to suspend the sentence and make and enforce terms of probation in those cases, for a period not to exceed one year, except as specified. This bill would authorize a court having jurisdiction to impose punishment in misdemeanor cases to suspend the sentence for an additional year, to allow for an individual required to register as a sex offender to complete an approved sex offender management program. The bill would require the period of time exceeding the one-year limit be terminated by the court upon the individual's successful completion of the approved sex offender management program. By extending the term of probation, 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Jul 2026
Assembly Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Jul 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

02/19/26 - Introduced → 04/23/26 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · Apr 23, 2026
MODERATE
The amended version significantly narrows the extended probation available to misdemeanor sex offenders required to register under Section 290. Instead of allowing up to three years of probation, the court may now only extend beyond the standard one-year limit by at most one additional year (two years total), and only for the purpose of completing an approved sex offender management program. The court must terminate the extended period once the offender successfully completes that program.
Scope change
The bill's scope for misdemeanor sex offender probation was narrowed: the maximum extended probation period was reduced from three years to two years, and the extension is now purpose-limited to completing a sex offender management program with mandatory termination upon completion.
SCOPE

Section 1203a(c) now caps the maximum probation period for misdemeanor sex offenders required to register at two years total (one year base plus one additional year), down from the previously allowed three years.

REQUIREMENT

The extended probation period is now specifically limited to allowing the offender to complete an approved sex offender management program, rather than being available for any purpose.

ENFORCEMENT

A new mandatory termination requirement: the court must terminate the period exceeding the one-year limit upon the offender's successful completion of the approved sex offender management program.

TECHNICAL

Section 1203.1(l) had redundant drafting language ('court, or judge thereof, court') cleaned up to simply 'the court,' and a now-passed operative date provision (January 1, 2022) was removed.

Floor votes · Assembly May 26, 2026

How they voted

71–0
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 80
May 26, 2026
D Democratic60
51 Yea 9
85% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
1
Committee
10
Amendments
2
Jul 1, 2026
Senate · Reported unfavorably
In committee: Set, final hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
Jun 17, 2026
Senate · Reported by committee
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Jun 9, 2026
Senate · Reported by committee
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Jun 3, 2026
Senate · Referred to committee
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
May 26, 2026
Assembly · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 71. Noes 0.)
May 14, 2026
Assembly · Reported by committee
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
May 6, 2026
Assembly · Referred to committee
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Apr 27, 2026
Assembly · Referred to committee
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Apr 23, 2026
Assembly · Amendment adopted
Read second time and amended.
Apr 22, 2026
Assembly · Amendment offered
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21).
Mar 24, 2026
Assembly · Reported unfavorably
In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
Mar 9, 2026
Assembly · Referred to committee
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Feb 20, 2026
Assembly · Reported by committee
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors