(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) — Bill AB1877 will strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence by giving prosecutors the ability to charge violations of protective orders as felonies in high-risk cases. This allows prosecutors to intervene before violence escalates.
Under existing law, most violations of protective orders are misdemeanors. This means that punishment for the willful disobedience of a protective court order includes imprisonment in a county jail for a term not exceeding 6 months, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.
Photo Credit: SFGovTv / Mayor Lurie announces the passing of Bill AB1877 at City Hall on October 7, 2026.
Bill AB1877 will make willful violations of protective orders punishable as felonies when the restrained person was arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a felony for the underlying conduct that elicited the protective order. Multiple violations will always be classified as a felony, regardless of the original conviction.
Violations of protective orders generally include social media or direct contact with the defendant.
Felony penalties under California state law include up to 3 years in state prison, with increased prison time for physical injuries, formal felony or state parole supervision, and court-imposed fines up to $10,000.
“This new law builds on San Francisco’s investments, including more than $10 million dedicated annually for gender based violence prevention and intervention programs, and nearly $30 million for transitional housing and for services for survivors of domestic violence,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie, announcing the bill in a press conference.
Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, who represents state assembly District 19, including the west side of San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County authored the bill, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 5, 2026.
“This bill is personal to me as someone who grew up in a home watching my mom in a domestic violence situation with my stepdad. I saw systems fail her time and time again,” said Assemblymember Stefani.
Photo Credit: SFGovTV / Assembleymember Catherine Stefani, author of Bill AB1877, gives impassioned speech about her history with domestic violence at the Mayor’s Press Conference.
Stefani highlighted how Mayor Lurie understood how high the stakes were with this legislation.
“Survivors do everything we ask of them. They find the courage to come forward. They go to court. They tell their stories and they secure protective orders from a judge telling their abusers to stay away,” said Stefani, stating that these legal precautions are often not enough, and domestic abuse survivors remain afraid.
“A protective order is only as strong as our willingness to enforce them,” she said.
She also explained that under AB1877, when an offender repeatedly violates a protective order, it can always be classified as a felony. “We cannot wait until someone is seriously hurt or killed before we decide to take that warning sign seriously,” she said.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at naomi.h@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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