Audrie’s Law signed by governor

Audrie’s Law (SBS 838), a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jim Beall and supported by the Audrie Pott Foundation, was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 30.

The law was inspired by then-Saratoga High sophomore Audrie Pott’s sexual assault in 2012. Pott died by suicide around a week after the incident.

According to the Audrie Pott Foundation,, it “closes loopholes that serve to protect sex offenders, not victims” and has made “courtrooms more transparent.” Audrie’s Law requires juveniles convicted of sexual assault to complete a sex offender treatment program and removes the option of paying a fine or participating in a community service or treatment program for various forms of forced sexual assault. 

“[Audrie’s Law allows] parents to be aware of the predators who may sit in class with their daughters,”  said Audrie’s stepmother Lisa Pott.

In order to push Audrie’s Law through California legislature, Beall and the Audrie Pott Foundation agreed to cut a section that called for a mandatory minimum of two years in juvenile hall for minors convicted of sexual assault.

The law also only includes “forcible” sexual assault, meaning the victim had to have fought back. Perpetrators of  victims who are unconscious during their assault, as Audrie was, are still not considered guilty on the same level as “violent” assaulters.

Shortly after Gov. Brown signed the bill into law, the Audrie Pott Foundation’s Facebook page posted that, “Audrie’s Law, as passed, does not solve all the problems with the juvenile system …[but] we consider it a victory if we have helped make schools safer by publicizing names and faces.” 

Audrie’s Law will go into effect on Jan. 1.