CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 830Introduced by Senator ArregunFebruary 21, 2025 An act to add Section 169.5 to the Penal Code, relating to crimes.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 830, as introduced, Arregun. Picketing at an individual residence.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to picket or parade in or near a building that houses a court of this state with the intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice or with the intent to influence any judge, juror, witness, or officer of the court in the discharge of their duty.This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation, for a person to engage in picketing activity that is targeted, as defined, at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling, as defined, and if enforcement of that law is suspended, would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, for a person to engage in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual if the picketing proceeds on a definite course or route in front of, and is directed at, that residential dwelling. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would create a private right of action for a person who is aggrieved by the activities described above, and would authorize the court to award specified relief and damages to the aggrieved person.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 169.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 830Introduced by Senator ArregunFebruary 21, 2025 An act to add Section 169.5 to the Penal Code, relating to crimes.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 830, as introduced, Arregun. Picketing at an individual residence.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to picket or parade in or near a building that houses a court of this state with the intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice or with the intent to influence any judge, juror, witness, or officer of the court in the discharge of their duty.This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation, for a person to engage in picketing activity that is targeted, as defined, at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling, as defined, and if enforcement of that law is suspended, would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, for a person to engage in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual if the picketing proceeds on a definite course or route in front of, and is directed at, that residential dwelling. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would create a private right of action for a person who is aggrieved by the activities described above, and would authorize the court to award specified relief and damages to the aggrieved person.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 830
Introduced by Senator ArregunFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Senator Arregun
February 21, 2025
An act to add Section 169.5 to the Penal Code, relating to crimes.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 830, as introduced, Arregun. Picketing at an individual residence.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to picket or parade in or near a building that houses a court of this state with the intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice or with the intent to influence any judge, juror, witness, or officer of the court in the discharge of their duty.This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation, for a person to engage in picketing activity that is targeted, as defined, at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling, as defined, and if enforcement of that law is suspended, would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, for a person to engage in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual if the picketing proceeds on a definite course or route in front of, and is directed at, that residential dwelling. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would create a private right of action for a person who is aggrieved by the activities described above, and would authorize the court to award specified relief and damages to the aggrieved person.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to picket or parade in or near a building that houses a court of this state with the intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice or with the intent to influence any judge, juror, witness, or officer of the court in the discharge of their duty.
This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation, for a person to engage in picketing activity that is targeted, as defined, at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling, as defined, and if enforcement of that law is suspended, would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, for a person to engage in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual if the picketing proceeds on a definite course or route in front of, and is directed at, that residential dwelling. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would create a private right of action for a person who is aggrieved by the activities described above, and would authorize the court to award specified relief and damages to the aggrieved person.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 169.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 169.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.
SECTION 1. Section 169.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.
169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.
169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.
169.5. (a) (1) A person who engages in picketing activity that is targeted at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.
(2) This subdivision does not apply to picketing in a residential area that is not targeted at a particular residential dwelling.
(b) (1) A person who engages in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this subdivision.
(2) This subdivision applies only if the picketing described in paragraph (1) proceeds on a definite course or route in front of a residential dwelling and is directed at that residential dwelling.
(3) This subdivision shall only be operative during any period of time that the enforcement of subdivision (a) is suspended by a court.
(4) This subdivision does not apply to general marching through residential neighborhoods.
(c) (1) A person who is aggrieved by an act prohibited by this section may bring an action for damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, or any combination of damages and relief, as appropriate, in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person who has violated, has conspired to violate, or proposes to violate the provisions of this section.
(2) (A) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to recover from the defendant damages, costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief as determined by the court.
(B) In addition to other damages or relief, the court may award to the aggrieved person a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this section.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Residential dwelling means a permanent building being used by its occupants solely for nontransient residential uses.
(2) Targeted picketing means picketing activity that is intentionally directed at a particular residential dwelling and occurs in front of that residential dwelling or proceeds on a definite course or route in front of or around that residential dwelling.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
### SEC. 2.