Assemblywoman Soria’s Public Safety Bill Package Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria’s penalty increase bill for sexual battery in a hospital (AB 848)—was signed into law today by Governor Newsom. Soria’s Medical Safety Chaperone Act (AB 849) was signed into law earlier this week, making her public safety bill package complete.   

“These bills bring to light the injustices that are taking place when felony sexual battery is committed by a hospital employee against a patient,” Soria said. “We need to send a message to anyone that would seek to abuse the trust placed in them as medical professionals: this type of behavior will never be tolerated.”

AB 848, recognizes the uniquely vulnerable nature of hospital patients and the serious nature of sexual abuse committed against them—by codifying the offense as an “aggravating factor” in the sentencing of hospital employees who sexually abuse patients—making these crimes automatically eligible for harsher penalties.

“Assemblywoman Soria’s Penalty Increase for Sexual Battery in a Hospital bill (AB 848), allows just sentencing for those medical professionals who betray the trust of their patients for their own sexual gratification,” said Kim Stone, Lobbyist for the California District Attorneys Association. “It’s appropriate they be held accountable for the harm they have inflicted on their victims.” 

California law already recognizes that the significant power imbalance between an employer and an employee merits aggravated sentencing in cases of felony sexual battery, yet there is no similar aggravating factor for a medical professional sexually battering their patients.

The Medical Safety Chaperone Act was signed into law earlier this week. AB 849 will require certain healthcare facilities that offer ultrasounds to notify patients that a medical chaperone will be provided upon their request, before conducting an ultrasound of a sensitive area. It will also establish new standards for chaperone training, to ensure that hospital staff are educated on how to identify inappropriate behavior and protect patient safety. 

The Medical Safety Chaperone Act’s provisions protect the physical and psychological safety of patients in vulnerable situations, while enhancing the trust and transparency that is crucial to the patient-provider relationship. 

For the latest information on our legislative bill package, please visit our website and social media accounts. 

Facebook: @Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria

Instagram: @asmesmeraldasoria

BlueSky: @esmeraldasoria.bsky.social

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Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria represents the 27th Assembly District, which includes communities in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.