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AB 250 advances out of Assembly Judiciary after survivors and advocates describe barriers to reporting sexual assault
Summary
The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted to refer AB 250 to the Appropriations Committee after survivors and advocacy groups testified that the bill would extend a survivor—s time to seek civil remedies and hold institutions that conceal sexual assault accountable.
AB 250, sponsored in the California State Assembly by Majority Leader Aguilar Curie, advanced from the Assembly Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee following a hearing where survivors and advocacy groups asked lawmakers to expand survivors—s ability to pursue civil claims and to hold both perpetrators and institutions that conceal assaults accountable.
Supporters said the bill recognizes that survivors often need years to come forward and that institutional cover-ups can prolong harm. Aguilar Curie told the committee AB 250 "will strengthen protections for survivors of ****** assault and ensure the ability to fully access the justice system." Maya Alexander, a survivor and television producer who testified, described years of harassment and said she could not report because of nondisclosure agreements and fear of retaliation. "This is how he ******** assaulted me twice," Alexander said in testimony; she urged the committee, "please vote to give women like me our day in court." Jessica Stender of Equal Rights Advocates, a bill sponsor, told the committee, "This bill sends a clear message. Individuals who commit ****** violence and those who enable or seek to conceal it will no longer be shielded."
Members asked whether the bill would apply to public employees. A staff witness and the bill—s author explained the measure would amend an existing statute that currently applies to private entities and therefore does not include public employees; the author said prior versions that included the public sector were narrowed because of potential costs to public agencies. The Vice Chair expressed concern about singling out private employers and about evidentiary gaps in complaints that arise years after an alleged assault.
The hearing included multiple organizational supporters, including Victim Policy Institute, the California Employment Lawyers Association (co-sponsor), Equal Rights Advocates and Valor US. After testimony, the committee voted to refer AB 250 to the Appropriations Committee. The measure was placed on call to allow members who were absent to add their votes and was subsequently cleared from the call and forwarded to Appropriations.
