Table of Contents
While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. Users must accept all risks associated with actions taken based on this information. Please help us improve by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at https://narsol.org/wiki-response/
California Laws Regarding Registration
Who must register?
California Penal Code Section 290(c)
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=5.5.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=9
What information must registrants provide?
CAL. PENAL CODE § 290.015
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=290.015.&lawCode=PEN
How frequently must they register? And for how long?
Transients: monthly. Sexually violent predators (SVP): quarterly. All others: yearly.
§ 290.012
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=290.012.&lawCode=PEN
Currently, everyone is required to register for Life, but commencing on January 1st, 2021, it will have the following Tier system: Tier One: at least 10 years, Tier 2: at least 20 years, and Tier 3: Life, respectively.
290(b)
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=5.5.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=9
Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers?
Yes. Under the new California Penal Code section 290, the sex-offender registry in the state is divided into three tiers.
Tier 1, 10 years, Tier 2, 20 years, Tier 3, Lifetime
Section 290
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=9.&part=1.&chapter=5.5.&article=.
Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels to registrants?
Yes: the “State-Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders (SARATSO).
§ 290.04
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=290.04.
https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/SexOffenders_RiskAssessment.aspx
http://www.saratso.org/
Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who?
§290.46
https://oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg/forms
Form to apply for exclusion:
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/csor/ss4046d-app-exclusion.pdf
Is there a registration fee?
No
Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision?
Penal Code §290.95 lists restrictions
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=290.95&lawCode=PEN
Additionally, Penal Code § 290.46(k) (in effect until Jan 1, 2022)
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=290.46&lawCode=PEN
Is there a process for removal from the registry? If so, who qualifies and what is the process?
In flux; tiered registry will allow for some to come off; California Senate Bill (SB) 384 Due to become effective July, 2021
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB384
What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who is visiting the state?
Within 5 working days California Penal Code section 290.002
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=5.5.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=9
What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who will be moving to the state to live or to attend school?
Within 5 working days California Penal Code section 290.002
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?chapter=5.5.&part=1.&lawCode=PEN&title=9
State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration
What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences?
220
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=220&lawCode=PEN
261, 62, 64, 66 , 67, 69 ff
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=261&lawCode=PEN
285, 86,88,89 ff
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=285&lawCode=PEN
311.4, .10, .11, 314 ff
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=311.4&lawCode=PEN
647, 653 ff
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=647&lawCode=PEN
Does the state have lifetime supervision?
No.
Does the state have indeterminate sentencing?
Yes. Penal Code §288.1 applies to some offenses.
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=288.1.&lawCode=PEN
What are the state civil commitment laws?
SVP statute: 6600-6609.3
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&division=6.&title=&part=2.&chapter=2.&article=4
What is the age of consent?
Age is 18; California Penal Code 261.5 PC
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=261.5
Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people?
No.
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
On November 3, 2020, CA passed Prop 17, which allows felons to vote in California elections while they are on Parole or Probation. Please note, California also allows convicted felons who are serving time in county jails (rather than state prison) the ability to vote while serving their sentence.
https://felonvoting.procon.org/state-felon-voting-laws/
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
https://oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg
https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/SexOffenders_SummaryOfLaw.aspx
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=290.018
How does the state’s legislative process work?
For an in-depth view, please review the following link
http://senate.ca.gov/legislativeprocess
How can I locate legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Bill search by a variety of methods
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces//billSearchClient.xhtml
Best keywords are:
Sexual offense; 290 offense; sex offender; sex offender registry
How to sign up for notifications of bill movement:
May register and track bills here:
https://legiscan.com/CA/legislation/2017
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
Senate Judiciary
http://sjud.senate.ca.gov/
Senate Public Safety
http://spsf.senate.ca.gov/
Subcommittee on Sexual Harrassment Prevention and Response
http://shpr.legislature.ca.gov/>
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Other Useful State Information
Contact information for state registry office
NARSOL state affiliate website or blog:
None yet.
Other helpful state advocacy groups:
Other registrant-friendly state support groups:
Response needed.