California Senate rejects amendment to expand sex offender ban on public office

The California Senate has rejected an amendment to AB 2691, known as the Public Trust Protection Act, which would have expanded the disqualification of certain sexual assault and human trafficking offenders from holding public office.

Originally authored by Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, the bill sought to prohibit individuals convicted of felony sexual assault or human trafficking from running for state or local elective positions. However, recent amendments narrowed the scope of the prohibition. Under the current version of the bill, only those required to register as Tier 3 sex offenders are barred from office.

Republican lawmakers, including State Sen. Suzette Valladares and Sen. Steven Choi, criticized the changes, arguing they create a loophole. They noted that the amendments effectively exempt Tier 1 and Tier 2 offenders from the ban, even in cases involving crimes against minors aged 14 to 17. Valladares argued that the narrowed language allows individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses to remain eligible for positions such as local school boards.