California Senate Democrats vote down amendment to bar convicted child sex offenders from office

In a partisan showdown, California Senate Democrats turned down an amendment offered by Republican Senator Suzette Valladares that sought to bar individuals convicted of child sexual abuse from seeking any elected office, such as school board positions. The amendment targeted AB 2691, which currently extends the ban only to those with Tier 3 sex-offender registrations, excluding Tier 1 and Tier 2 offenders. Valladares argued that allowing any convicted child abuser to serve is unacceptable, while Democratic chair Scott Wiener warned that a broader prohibition would be too expansive, noting the registry includes a range of offenses.

Earlier, Republican Senator Steven Choi had questioned the bill’s author, Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, about the remaining eligibility gaps, to which Addis described the legislation as a “first in the nation” effort to protect survivors. The vote, split along party lines, left the bill unchanged, prompting Valladares to vow continued opposition.