California Assembly passes AB 392 to combat non-consensual explicit media sharing

The Assembly Floor Session of the California House convened on June 5, 2025, to address several key legislative items, culminating in significant votes on bills aimed at protecting minors and enhancing literacy education.

The session began with the passage of a measure, with a vote tally of 45 in favor and 15 against, before moving on to file item 24, Assembly Bill 392, introduced by Assemblymember Dixon. This bill addresses the non-consensual sharing of explicit media, particularly concerning minors. Assemblymember Dixon emphasized the importance of consent and the need for accountability from commercial pornographic websites. The bill aims to establish civil liability for these platforms and ensure that individuals featured in such content have given their consent and were of legal age at the time of creation. The bill received unanimous support in previous committees and was backed by various advocacy groups. Following a brief discussion, AB 392 passed with a vote of 66 to 0.

Next, the Assembly turned its attention to file item 23, Assembly Bill 1454, presented by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. This legislation focuses on improving literacy among California children, recognizing that strong reading skills are essential for academic success and lifelong opportunities. Speaker Rivas highlighted the collaborative effort behind the bill, which aims to equip educators with effective teaching tools and update instructional materials. The bill also addresses the needs of English language learners and students with learning challenges. Assemblymember Rubio, a joint author of the bill, shared personal insights from her teaching background, stressing the importance of reading proficiency by third grade. The bill garnered widespread support, with multiple members voicing their endorsement. Ultimately, AB 1454 passed unanimously with a vote of 75 to 0.

The session concluded with a discussion on Assembly Bill 687, introduced by Assemblymember Patterson, although details on this bill were not fully addressed before the meeting adjourned. Overall, the session underscored the Assembly's commitment to safeguarding minors and enhancing educational outcomes in California.