California GOP blasts Dems over disturbing change to child sex trafficking bill

A California human trafficking bill aimed at combatting child sex trafficking is facing controversy as the bill’s author has reluctantly agreed to remove a provision that targets consumers in order to push the legislation forward. State Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, a Democrat, made the decision to remove a clause from Assembly Bill 379 that would have imposed felony charges on buyers of 16 and 17-year-olds for sex, instead treating the solicitation of these minors by adults as a misdemeanor.

Krell expressed her disagreement with the amendment, stating that protecting minors from the horrors of sex trafficking has been her life’s work. Despite the removal of the provision, the bill still criminalizes those who loiter to buy teenagers for sex and establishes a fund to assist victims, which Krell believes will be valuable tools in the fight against sex trafficking.

The bill was introduced after older teens were excluded from a state law that made it a felony to purchase children aged 15 and younger for sex. Last year, California State Sen. Shannon Grove authored a bill to address this issue but excluded 16 and 17-year-olds. The decision to remove the provision targeting buyers of older teens has sparked criticism from California Assembly Republicans, who argue that it is essential to protect all minors from predators.

The bill, which faced a key deadline, was dropped from the Public Safety Committee agenda, leading to concerns that lawmakers may be attempting to prevent its progress. State Rep. David Tangipa, a Republican, suggested that removing the provision could be a way to avoid addressing the issue effectively. He expressed concerns that increasing penalties and fines without addressing the purchase of older teens could inadvertently support prostitution and trafficking in California.

The California Republican Party condemned the state Democratic Party for engaging in a debate that prioritizes criminals over victims. Despite the controversy, Krell remains committed to working with sex trafficking survivors and law enforcement to ensure that all minors are protected. The fight against sex trafficking continues, with advocates pushing for comprehensive legislation that addresses the complexities of this issue.