US EditionCalifornia Assembly Approves New Felony Proposal for Those Who Buy 16- and 17-Year-Olds for Sex
- On Thursday, the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that increases felony charges against individuals who solicit sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, except in situations where the age gap is three years or less.
- This updated legislation followed fierce backlash after Democrats previously rejected felony charges for soliciting older teens, sparking political turmoil and public pressure to amend the law.
- The bill, crafted with input from Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho, also creates a victim support fund, criminalizes loitering to buy sex, and increases penalties for businesses complicit in trafficking.
- Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher emphasized that his focus has always been on fair policy and justice, while Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins cautioned that the loitering clause might result in disproportionate profiling of minority groups.
- Lawmakers, including Democrat Nick Schultz, view the bill as a tool against child exploitation and human trafficking, but acknowledge further work is needed to protect teens effectively and ensure fair enforcement.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Patrick Lee Gipson | Standing with the Victims
Editor’s note: The following letter was submitted before Thursday’s unanimous Assembly vote in favor of a revised version of Assembly Bill 379 that restored a modified version of the original bill’s felony provisions for sex trafficking of 16- and 17-year-olds. Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has publicly shared that she is a survivor of childhood sexual assault — a painful truth that should inspire courage, compassion and moral clarity. And yet, wh…
California Assembly approves new felony proposal for those who buy 16- and 17-year-olds for sex
The California Assembly on Thursday morning passed a proposed law that would make it easier for prosecutors to charge a felony against those who buy 16 and 17-year-olds for sex.
Santa Maria Times
Independent EspañolCalifornia Advances Bill to Toughen Penalties for Soliciting Sex From Older Teens
SACRAMENTO, California, U.S.A. (AP) — The California Assembly on Thursday passed harsher penalties for sex applicants for 16- and 17-year-olds, with an exception for cases where the age difference between 16- and 17-year-olds is...
California advances bill to toughen penalties for soliciting sex from older teens
By TRAN NGUYEN SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Assembly on Thursday approved tougher penalties for those who solicit sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, with an exception for cases where the age difference between the parties is three years or less. It's an updated version of legislation that recently plunged Democrats into political controversy, with Gov. Gavin Newsom breaking with legislative leaders and Republicans accusing Democrats of p…
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