An act to amend Sections 667.1, 667.5, and 1170.125 Section 273.5 of the Penal Code, relating to violent felonies. domestic violence.
AB 292 would increase criminal penalties for felony domestic violence under Penal Code Section 273.5. It raises the base prison term from 2, 3, or 4 years to 2, 4, or 5 years, increases the maximum fine to $10,000 in specified repeat-offense cases, and adds a mandatory county jail term of at least 60 days as a condition of probation for a defendant with one prior felony conviction under Section 273.5. The bill also preserves and reinforces existing probation, restitution, and protective-order provisions for domestic violence cases.
The bill further amends California’s violent felony and three-strikes-related statutes to classify a felony domestic violence violation of Section 273.5 as a violent felony for all purposes, including sentence enhancements under the three strikes law and prior-prison-term enhancement rules. It also updates cross-references in Sections 667.1 and 1170.125 to align with the 2026 version of the relevant sentencing statutes. The measure states that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies or school districts because any costs arise from changes to criminal penalties and definitions.
AB 292 would directly change California criminal sentencing law by making felony domestic violence a violent felony and by increasing punishment for repeat violations of Penal Code Section 273.5. That would expose affected defendants to harsher sentencing consequences, including potential three-strikes implications, longer prison terms, higher fines in repeat cases, and mandatory jail time as a probation condition for certain prior offenders. The bill would affect prosecutors, courts, probation departments, local jails, and defendants charged with domestic violence offenses, while leaving the underlying offense definition and victim-protection framework largely intact.
The available vote history suggests broad support at the committee and floor levels reflected in unanimous or near-unanimous votes in the recorded actions. The bill advanced out of committee on a 8-0 vote, later received a 15-0 do pass vote, and then passed Assembly third reading 57-0. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate organized opposition in the materials supplied. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed favorably as a tougher domestic violence sentencing measure.
The main policy issue is whether felony domestic violence should be treated like other violent felonies for sentencing purposes, especially because that designation can trigger three-strikes consequences and other enhancements. Supporters appear to favor stronger punishment for repeat domestic violence offenders and more severe probation conditions, while potential critics would likely focus on sentencing severity, jail and prison impacts, and the expansion of enhancement exposure. The bill also includes a no-reimbursement clause despite acknowledging state-mandated local program effects, which could be a point of fiscal or procedural concern, though no specific opposition is documented in the provided materials.