California Assembly Bill AB2534

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/26
• Refer: 3/9/26
• Report Pass: 3/24/26
• Refer: 3/24/26
• Report Pass: 4/22/26
• Engrossed: 5/7/26
• Refer: 5/7/26
• Refer: 5/20/26

Caption

An act to amend Sections 6211, 6300, 6301, 6320, and 6340 of, and to add Sections 6217 and 6230 to, the Family Code Code, relating to domestic violence.

Impact

The bill seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding domestic violence by broadening the definition to include forced marriage and introducing provisions for protective orders against individuals seeking to enforce or facilitate such marriages. Courts will now be authorized to issue protective orders based on credible evidence of forced marriage or related abuses, thereby reinforcing the legal protections available to victims. These enhancements aim to empower victims and provide a more robust response to cases of forced marriage.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2534, introduced by Assembly Member Kalra and coauthored by Senator Wahab, aims to amend sections of the Family Code related to domestic violence to explicitly address and prevent forced marriage. This legislation defines forced marriage as a situation where one or both parties are compelled, through various forms of coercion—including force, fraud, and abuse of power—to enter or maintain a marriage. The law recognizes such coerced marriages, even if they lack formal legal validity, as forms of abuse under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

Conclusion

Overall, AB 2534 represents a significant step forward in the fight against domestic abuse by acknowledging forced marriage as a form of coercion. It aims to ensure that victims of such practices receive full support and legal remedies within California's domestic violence framework. As discussions continue, the effectiveness of these measures in practice will be critical to their success.

Contention

Despite the bill's intention to close the gap in protective measures against forced marriages, it may face opposition from groups emphasizing personal or cultural autonomy. Critics may argue that the definition of coercive control could inadvertently restrict personal liberties or conflict with cultural practices surrounding marriage. Furthermore, the implications of new protective orders might create challenges in the legal system, such as determining the threshold for evidence required to issue such orders.