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AB 22

Crime.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl DeMaio

AB 22 tightens SVP housing rules, requiring state approval before placements and banning conditional releases in residential areas or near tribal lands, prioritizing public safety.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Held without recommendation.
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Bill Summary · AB 22

AB 22 (DeMaio) — Crime: sex offender registration, juvenile prosecution, and sexually violent predator placement

Status: In committee (Assembly Public Safety). Set for first hearing; held without recommendation (4/21/2025). Introduced 12/02/2024.

Purpose / Intent

AB 22 makes three principal changes to California criminal law: (1) removes a close‑in‑age exemption from the Sex Offender Registration Act; (2) repeals changes enacted by Proposition 57 (2016) governing juvenile transfer to adult court; and (3) tightens placement and release requirements for persons civilly committed as sexually violent predators (SVPs). Because one part of the bill would amend an initiative statute (Proposition 57), the bill requires voter approval at the next statewide primary election.

Key provisions

  1. Sex offender registration (Pen. Code § 290)

    • Repeals the existing exemption that allowed certain offenders convicted of offenses involving a minor to avoid mandatory sex‑offender registration when the offender was not more than 10 years older than the minor and that offense was the only one requiring registration.
    • Text clarifies registration duties and includes an explicit rule applicable to persons 18 or older convicted on or after January 1, 2025, for certain solicitation offenses (Pen. Code § 647(l)(2)) where a prior conviction exists.

  2. Juvenile transfer / Proposition 57

    • Repeals the changes made by Proposition 57 (2016) that limited automatic adult prosecution and required juvenile transfer hearings for certain youth. Effectively, this would restore the pre‑2016 legal framework that allowed for automatic adult prosecution of certain severe offenses committed by persons 14 years or older (subject to voter approval, see below).
    • Makes technical and conforming edits to related statutes.

  3. Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) conditional release and placement

    • Requires the State Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to ensure vendor placement decisions prioritize public safety and to approve potential placements before signing leases or rental agreements.
    • Prohibits conditional placement of an SVP within areas zoned for residential use in a city or county general plan, and within 3 miles of tribal land (with limited exceptions).
    • Requires DSH to have proof of housing before ordering conditional release.
    • Retains existing proximity restrictions to schools (current law: 1/4 mile).

Who is affected

  • Individuals who previously qualified for the close‑in‑age registration exemption — they would become subject to sex‑offender registration.
  • Juveniles (particularly ages 14–17) charged with serious offenses — the juvenile transfer process and the possibility of automatic adult prosecution would change if voters approve the initiative amendment.
  • Persons civilly committed as SVPs — placement options would be more restricted; DSH and its housing vendors would face stricter approval duties.
  • Counties, cities, tribes and housing providers — zoning and placement limitations and vendor approval requirements could affect local planning and housing availability.
  • State agencies — potential administrative and fiscal effects related to placement approvals and ensuring housing prior to release.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal Committee: yes (bill indicated fiscal review required). No state appropriation included in the digest.
  • Because the bill would amend an initiative (Prop 57), its repeal provisions must be submitted to the electors for approval at the next statewide primary election (Secretary of State to submit).
  • Legislative history: introduced 12/02/2024; multiple committee amendments and referrals; most recently set and held without recommendation in Assembly Public Safety (4/21/2025).

If you want, I can produce a short explainer on likely practical impacts (numbers of affected registrants, estimated housing challenges for SVPs, or how juvenile court practice would change).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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