CA AB848

Adds a new sentencing aggravation factor for felony sexual battery convictions when the defendant was employed at a hospital where the offense occurred and the victim was in the defendant's care or seeking medical care at the hospital

Existing law already provides for aggravated sentencing when the defendant was an employer and the victim was their employee; this bill expands protections to hospital patients

Sexual battery under these provisions is punishable as either a misdemeanor (up to 1 year county jail, up to $2,000 fine) or felony (2, 3, or 4 years state prison, up to $10,000 fine)

Approved by Governor on October 11, 2025 and filed with Secretary of State the same day