California Democrats have blocked a bill that would make it a felony to buy sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, sparking backlash from Governor Gavin Newsom and child safety advocates.
At a Glance
- California Democrats blocked legislation imposing felony charges for purchasing sex from 16- and 17-year-olds
- Governor Gavin Newsom publicly supported the bill, stating all sex predators who solicit minors should face felony charges
- Democrats on the Public Safety Committee expressed concerns the law could be misused against LGBTQ individuals and those in interracial relationships
- California has among the highest rates of human trafficking in the nation, with over 3,000 signals received in 2023
- The bill will be reconsidered in the fall after significant public backlash
Controversial Bill Faces Opposition
Assembly Bill 379, introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, was designed to close a loophole in California law that treats older teens differently when it comes to sex trafficking. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the bill would have made it a felony to solicit sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, matching penalties already in place for younger minors.
But the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, led by Chair Nick Schultz, blocked the bill. Schultz argued that while protecting youth is vital, the proposal lacked nuance and could unintentionally be misapplied, particularly against LGBTQ individuals or those in interracial relationships. He told the Daily Caller that the committee wanted “smarter, more balanced policy solutions.”
Watch ABC10’s report on the incident at California bill targeting buyers of sex trafficking minors moves forward.
Governor Newsom Supports Felony Charges
Breaking with his party, Governor Gavin Newsom came out in strong support of the bill. In a statement shared by the Daily Caller, his office said, “The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim’s age. Full stop.”
Newsom’s stance is consistent with his prior actions. In 2023, he signed legislation making sex trafficking of minors a “strikable” offense under the state’s three-strikes law. As noted by KCRA News, the governor has increasingly positioned himself against progressive resistance on issues related to trafficking.
Human Trafficking Rates in California
California remains one of the worst states for human trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the state received over 3,100 signals in 2023 alone—more than any other state—with more than 1,000 of those coming directly from survivors. Los Angeles County’s public safety site identifies the region as a high-intensity area for child exploitation.
Advocates argue that such data makes the need for stronger protections even more urgent. Allowing lesser penalties for the solicitation of older teens, they contend, sends a dangerous message and enables predators to exploit legal loopholes.
Bill to Be Reconsidered
Following widespread public outrage, committee members have agreed to revisit the legislation. According to KCRA, the bill will be brought back for further consideration in the fall, likely with revised language to address the committee’s concerns.
Krell, the bill’s sponsor, says she remains committed to closing the age-based gap in protections. In her view, the legal system should treat the exploitation of any minor—regardless of whether they’re 15 or 17—as a serious felony offense.
With California’s trafficking crisis growing, the stakes are high. The bill’s fate could determine whether the state continues allowing reduced penalties for those who prey on teens—or finally treats all child exploitation with the severity it deserves.
