California SB873: Courthouses: privilege from civil arrest.

What the bill says

An act to add Sections 43.541 and 43.542 to, and to repeal and add Section 43.54 of, the Civil Code, relating to courts. courts Courthouses: privilege from civil arrest. Existing law prohibits a person from being subject to civil arrest in a courthouse while attending a court proceeding or having legal business in a courthouse, except pursuant to a valid judicial warrant…

From the chaptered text, September 29, 2026:

An act to add Sections 43.541 and 43.542 to, and to repeal and add Section 43.54 of, the Civil Code, relating to courts. courts Courthouses: privilege from civil arrest. Existing law prohibits a person from being subject to civil arrest in a courthouse while attending a court proceeding or having legal business in a courthouse, except pursuant to a valid judicial warrant. Existing law confers specified powers to judicial officers, including to preserve and enforce order in the officer’s immediate presence and in proceedings before the officer, to compel obedience to the officer’s lawful orders, and to prohibit activities that threaten access to courthouses and court proceedings, including protecting the privilege from civil arrest at courthouses and court proceedings. This bill would prohibit a person from being subject to civil arrest while traveling to, while present at, or while traveling from a courthouse for any lawful activity, as defined. The bill would authorize a court to issue appropriate judicial orders to protect the privilege from civil arrest. Under the bill, a civil arrest in violation of these provisions or the common law privilege against civil arrest would constitute false imprisonment or false arrest if the person was going to, remaining at, or returning from court for any lawful activity, and each person in violation of these provisions or who assists …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Reyes, Eloise Gómez (D, SD29) · primary sponsor
• Thomas Umberg (D, SD34) · primary sponsor
• Durazo, Maria Elena (D, SD26)
• Lena Gonzalez (D, SD33)
• Zbur, Rick Chavez (D, AD51)
• Ash Kalra (D, AD25)
• Dawn Addis (D, AD30)
• Diane Papan (D, AD21)

Latest actions

1. September 29, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 753, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 29, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 6067.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 28, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
6. August 25, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 25, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 58. Noes 17. Page 6527.) Ordered to the Senate.
8. August 25, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
9. August 20, 2026: Ordered to third reading.
10. August 20, 2026: Read third time and amended.

Votes

• Unfinished Business SB873 Reyes et al. Concurrence (August 28, 2026): 30 yea, 10 nay, passed
• SB 873 Reyes Senate Third Reading By Kalra (August 25, 2026): 58 yea, 17 nay, passed
• Do pass. (August 13, 2026): 11 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (June 23, 2026): 9 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB873 Reyes et al. (May 26, 2026): 29 yea, 7 nay, passed
• Do pass (May 14, 2026): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB873?

SB873 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Courthouses: privilege from civil arrest.

What does SB873 do?

In its own words: An act to add Sections 43.541 and 43.542 to, and to repeal and add Section 43.54 of, the Civil Code, relating to courts. courts Courthouses: privilege from civil arrest. Existing law prohibits a person from being subject to civil arrest in a courthouse while attending a court proceeding or having legal business in a courthouse, except pursuant to a valid judicial warrant…

What is the status of SB873?

Chaptered as of September 29, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 753, Statutes of 2026. (September 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB873?

Reyes, Eloise Gómez (D, SD29), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB873?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB873