Assemblyman's Domestic Violence Registry Bill Faces Backlash

Proposed legislation to create a public database of domestic violence offenders draws criticism from experts and victim advocates.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:19am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of political isolation and bureaucratic inertia.As partisan politics stall progress on domestic violence prevention, the human toll remains hidden in the shadows.Today in Sacramento

First-term Republican Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez introduced a bill in February to establish a public registry of people convicted of domestic violence-related crimes in California. However, the bill faced strong opposition from domestic violence prevention groups who argued it would actually harm survivors and do little to prevent future abuse.

Why it matters

The proposed registry highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing domestic violence, with advocates arguing that public shaming of offenders is not an effective deterrent and could have unintended consequences like discouraging victims from reporting abuse. The debate also reflects the political dynamics in the state legislature, where Republicans are pushing for tougher criminal justice measures while Democrats and advocacy groups are pushing for more victim-centric approaches.

The details

Gonzalez's bill, Assembly Bill 2701, would have required the state Department of Justice to develop and publish a database including the names, addresses and dates of birth of people convicted of domestic violence-related crimes. It would have also compelled those convicted to register for up to 20 years, with a process to petition for early removal. However, the bill was opposed by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, which argued it would 'harm survivors' and be an 'expensive and ineffective distraction' from proven domestic violence prevention strategies. Experts also warned the registry could deter victims from reporting abuse out of fear of retaliation or losing housing and employment opportunities for their partners.

  • Gonzalez introduced the bill in February 2026.
  • The Assembly's Public Safety Committee heard the bill on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Jeff Gonzalez

A first-term Republican Assemblyman who introduced the Domestic Violence Offender Registration Act.

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

A statewide coalition of domestic violence prevention organizations that opposed Gonzalez's bill.

Jane Stoever

The head of the UC Irvine Domestic Violence Clinic and the UCI Initiative to End Family Violence, who warned the registry could list 'many wrongfully charged and convicted abuse survivors.'

Kate Vander Tuig

A representative of Futures Without Violence, who said the bill 'will harm many survivors directly, because many are wrongly arrested and labeled as perpetrators.'

James Ramos

The first Native American member of the California Assembly, who criticized Gonzalez for invoking the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis without consulting tribal leaders.

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What they’re saying

“While we recognize that this bill is well-intentioned, we believe it will harm survivors and that it does not, in any way, accomplish its stated goal of preventing domestic violence. Rather, as an expensive and ineffective distraction from the things we know prevent domestic violence and improve survivor well-being, this bill would be a step in the wrong direction for this state with regard to how it approaches the critical problem of domestic violence.”

— California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

“While obviously well-intentioned, a registry of this kind would list many wrongfully charged and convicted abuse survivors. Such a registry would also likely decrease domestic violence reporting and keep survivors in abusive situations.”

— Jane Stoever, Head of the UC Irvine Domestic Violence Clinic and the UCI Initiative to End Family Violence

“This bill will harm many survivors directly, because many are wrongly arrested and labeled as perpetrators.”

— Kate Vander Tuig, Representative of Futures Without Violence

“You mentioned missing, murdered and indigenous women, yet those that are on the front lines stand up in opposition to this bill. So if you truly were moving forward in that you would have had dialogue with them before you presented here today.”

— James Ramos, First Native American member of the California Assembly

What’s next

The Assembly's Public Safety Committee rejected Gonzalez's bill following the hearing. Gonzalez later took to social media to criticize the decision, claiming Sacramento 'prioritizes CRIMINALS over VICTIMS'.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing domestic violence, with advocates arguing that public shaming of offenders is not an effective deterrent and could have unintended consequences like discouraging victims from reporting abuse. The political dynamics also reflect the divide between Republican calls for tougher criminal justice measures and Democratic-backed efforts to take a more victim-centric approach.