California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1896 Compare Versions

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1-Assembly Bill No. 1896 CHAPTER 123 An act to amend Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, relating to evidence. [ Approved by Governor July 18, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State July 18, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1896, Cervantes. Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege.Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature. Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote. Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.(b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.(c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.(d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.(e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.(f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.(g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.(h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.(i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.(j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.(k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.SEC. 2. Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code is amended to read:1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
1+Enrolled July 06, 2018 Passed IN Senate July 05, 2018 Passed IN Assembly May 17, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 10, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 04, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1896Introduced by Assembly Member CervantesJanuary 22, 2018 An act to amend Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, relating to evidence. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1896, Cervantes. Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege.Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature. Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote. Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.(b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.(c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.(d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.(e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.(f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.(g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.(h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.(i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.(j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.(k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.SEC. 2. Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code is amended to read:1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
22
3- Assembly Bill No. 1896 CHAPTER 123 An act to amend Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, relating to evidence. [ Approved by Governor July 18, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State July 18, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1896, Cervantes. Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege.Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature. Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote. Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
3+ Enrolled July 06, 2018 Passed IN Senate July 05, 2018 Passed IN Assembly May 17, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 10, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 04, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1896Introduced by Assembly Member CervantesJanuary 22, 2018 An act to amend Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, relating to evidence. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1896, Cervantes. Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege.Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature. Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote. Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
4+
5+ Enrolled July 06, 2018 Passed IN Senate July 05, 2018 Passed IN Assembly May 17, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 10, 2018 Amended IN Assembly April 04, 2018
6+
7+Enrolled July 06, 2018
8+Passed IN Senate July 05, 2018
9+Passed IN Assembly May 17, 2018
10+Amended IN Assembly May 10, 2018
11+Amended IN Assembly April 04, 2018
12+
13+ CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
414
515 Assembly Bill No. 1896
6-CHAPTER 123
16+
17+Introduced by Assembly Member CervantesJanuary 22, 2018
18+
19+Introduced by Assembly Member Cervantes
20+January 22, 2018
721
822 An act to amend Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, relating to evidence.
9-
10- [ Approved by Governor July 18, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State July 18, 2018. ]
1123
1224 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1325
1426 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1527
1628 AB 1896, Cervantes. Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege.
1729
1830 Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature. Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote.
1931
2032 Existing law establishes a privilege for a victim of a sexual assault to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the victim and a sexual assault counselor, if the privilege is claimed by the holder of the privilege, a person who is authorized to claim the privilege by the holder of the privilege, or the person who was the sexual assault counselor at the time of the confidential communication, except as specified. The definition of sexual assault counselor includes a person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who meets certain requirements.
2133
2234 This bill would specifically include within the definition of sexual assault counselor for these purposes a person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, with the same primary purpose of rendering advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and the same qualifications.
2335
2436 The California Constitution requires that a statute that would exclude relevant evidence in any criminal proceeding be enacted by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature.
2537
2638 Because this bill would exclude certain communications between a victim of sexual assault and a sexual assault counselor in criminal proceedings, the bill would require a 2/3 vote.
2739
2840 ## Digest Key
2941
3042 ## Bill Text
3143
3244 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.(b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.(c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.(d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.(e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.(f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.(g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.(h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.(i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.(j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.(k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.SEC. 2. Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code is amended to read:1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
3345
3446 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3547
3648 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3749
3850 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.(b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.(c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.(d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.(e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.(f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.(g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.(h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.(i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.(j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.(k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.
3951
4052 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.(b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.(c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.(d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.(e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.(f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.(g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.(h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.(i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.(j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.(k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.
4153
4254 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
4355
4456 ### SECTION 1.
4557
4658 (a) The incidents of sexual assault occurring on college campuses is a growing and pervasive problem in California and across the United States.
4759
4860 (b) According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 11.2 percent of college students in the United States experience rape or other forms of sexual assault.
4961
5062 (c) There have been high-profile incidents of sexual assault at several universities in California.
5163
5264 (d) Enduring incidents of sexual assault can negatively affect the physical and mental health of a student survivor, as well as hamper academic outcomes.
5365
5466 (e) Sexual assault counselors are an invaluable resource to student survivors of sexual assault, and provide them with essential services and support.
5567
5668 (f) Existing law, specifically Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code, provides a legal privilege for confidential communications between sexual assault counselors and survivors.
5769
5870 (g) However, there is uncertainty among practicing sexual assault counselors as to whether this privilege extends to counselors who provide these services and support to students on college campuses.
5971
6072 (h) The intent of this act is to remove that uncertainty, and declare that this privilege extends to sexual assault counselors who practice at college campuses and has done so since the creation of the privilege.
6173
6274 (i) Further, the intent of this act is to encourage college campuses to take all steps necessary to ensure that communications claimed as privileged under Section 1035.8 of the Evidence Code remain confidential, including by claiming the privilege in any case in which there is not a voluntary, written, and time-limited release of information from the survivor of sexual assault or the disclosure is not compelled by law, such as by a judicial order pursuant to Section 1035.4 of the Evidence Code.
6375
6476 (j) The amendments to Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code made by this act do not establish or support in any way that the privilege was not conferred on sexual assault counselors who practiced on college campuses before the enactment of those amendments.
6577
6678 (k) This act is intended as a signal that the privilege existed previously and will continue to exist after its enactment.
6779
6880 SEC. 2. Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code is amended to read:1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
6981
7082 SEC. 2. Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code is amended to read:
7183
7284 ### SEC. 2.
7385
7486 1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
7587
7688 1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
7789
7890 1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:(a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.(2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Medicine.(C) Societal attitudes.(D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.(E) Role playing.(F) Referral services.(G) Sexuality.(c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:(1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.(2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:(A) Law.(B) Victimology.(C) Counseling.(D) Client and system advocacy.(E) Referral services.
7991
8092
8193
8294 1035.2. As used in this article, sexual assault counselor means any of the following:
8395
8496 (a) A person who is engaged in any office, hospital, institution, or center commonly known as a rape crisis center, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:
8597
8698 (1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.
8799
88100 (2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
89101
90102 (A) Law.
91103
92104 (B) Medicine.
93105
94106 (C) Societal attitudes.
95107
96108 (D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
97109
98110 (E) Role playing.
99111
100112 (F) Referral services.
101113
102114 (G) Sexuality.
103115
104116 (b) A person who is engaged in a program on the campus of a public or private institution of higher education, whose primary purpose is the rendering of advice or assistance to victims of sexual assault and who has received a certificate evidencing completion of a training program in the counseling of sexual assault victims issued by a counseling center that meets the criteria for the award of a grant established pursuant to Section 13837 of the Penal Code and who meets one of the following requirements:
105117
106118 (1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape crisis counseling.
107119
108120 (2) Has 40 hours of training as described below and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
109121
110122 (A) Law.
111123
112124 (B) Medicine.
113125
114126 (C) Societal attitudes.
115127
116128 (D) Crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
117129
118130 (E) Role playing.
119131
120132 (F) Referral services.
121133
122134 (G) Sexuality.
123135
124136 (c) A person who is employed by any organization providing the programs specified in Section 13835.2 of the Penal Code, whether financially compensated or not, for the purpose of counseling and assisting sexual assault victims, and who meets one of the following requirements:
125137
126138 (1) Is a psychotherapist as defined in Section 1010; has a masters degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, at least six months of which is in rape assault counseling.
127139
128140 (2) Has the minimum training for sexual assault counseling required by guidelines established by the employing agency pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13835.10 of the Penal Code, and is supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor under paragraph (1). The training, supervised by a person qualified under paragraph (1), shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
129141
130142 (A) Law.
131143
132144 (B) Victimology.
133145
134146 (C) Counseling.
135147
136148 (D) Client and system advocacy.
137149
138150 (E) Referral services.