logout

Store Research

Senate Bill 407 (Romero - 2007)

Chapter 206, Statutes of 2007, SB 407

Some bill research does not include the Governor's file because at the time we researched the bill, the sitting Governor had not released his chaptered bill file. If the Governor's file is not included with this particular research, please contact our office (1-530-666-1917 or quote@legintent.com) and we will be happy to provide this file at no charge if it is available. Please Note: Governor files did not exist prior to 1943.

Makes a number of changes to the existing domestic violence victim-counselor evidentiary privilege:  Specifically, (1) changes the definition of domestic violence counselor," and makes corresponding cross references, (2) defines "domestic violence victim service organization," (3) changes the definition of what constitutes a "confidential communication,", (4) expressly provides that a guardian or conservator accused of committing domestic violence against a victim cannot be a holder of that privilege, and (5) expressly references which proceedings the privilege applies to.

The sponsor states, ""[A]lthough California was among the first states to enact a victim-counselor privilege, since its enactment in 1986, the privilege law has never been significantly amended to keep pace with the growth and expansion of programs in the  domestic violence field that provide counseling and assistance to domestic violence victims. These outdated definitions have caused confusion in the field over who is subject to the privilege and the type of information that is deemed privileged. SB 407 clarifies these statutory definition and revises existing training requirements for domestic violence counselors to require training on that privilege."