CA AB237

Creates a new crime for willfully threatening to commit violence at daycares, schools, universities, workplaces, houses of worship, or medical facilities, including threats posted online, when the threat causes sustained fear for safety

Requires the threat to be unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific enough to convey gravity of purpose and immediate prospect of execution, even if the person has no intent to actually carry it out

Punishes adults (18+) with up to one year in county jail (misdemeanor) or 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail (felony) as a wobbler offense

Requires offenders under 18 to be referred to diversion services under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 654 if eligible; ineligible minors would be charged with a misdemeanor

Prohibits conviction under both this new section (422.3) and existing criminal threats law (Section 422) for the same threat