SACRAMENTO–Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) today announced that Assembly Bill 2691, the Public Trust Protection Act, has passed the State Legislature with bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for his consideration.
"For far too long, survivors have been silenced while watching their abusers seek public office and positions of power," said Addis. "AB 2691, a first-in-the nation policy, is about protecting and honoring survivors by permanently banning those who commit egregious felonies of sexual assault from running for office in California."
AB 2691 adds sexual assault and human sex trafficking to the list of disqualifying convictions to hold elected office in California and ensures that out-of-state and international convictions are included regardless of where the crimes were committed.
Under current California law, disqualifying convictions commonly referred to as "public trust" crimes are limited to offenses involving bribery, embezzlement of public funds, extortion, theft of public money, perjury, and conspiracy to commit these offenses.
With numerous cases of sexual abuse by people in positions of power in California and across the United States over the past decade, AB 2691 expands California's legal definition of "public trust" crimes to include sexual assault and human sex trafficking in crimes of public trust.
AB 2691 specifically bans individuals who are permanently on the Sex Offender Registry list due to felony sex convictions, or Tier 3 felonies.
In addition to AB 2691, two other bills by Assemblymember Addis passed the State Legislature today and now await the Governor's action:
AB 1876, the Fair Care for All Act, which makes it illegal for health insurance plans in California to deny coverage or benefits to someone based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
AB 2731, the Santa Cruz Alcohol Licenses Act, developed in partnership with Santa Cruz County, would allow restaurants in Santa Cruz County to expand alcohol service options, helping local businesses grow and attract more customers.
The Governor has until September 30, 2026 to sign all three measures into law.
Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.
CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (831) 649-2832