A clear division is forming between California Democrats over the decision to not make it a felony to purchase 16 and 17-year-olds for sex.
Many Democrats – led by Gov. Gavin Newsom – spoke out against the decision by fellow lawmakers to hold firm on their position that making that crime a felony would hurt the LGBTQ and minority communities.
The big picture: The Assembly Public Safety Committee passed Assembly Bill 379 on Tuesday, forcing Asm. Maggy Krell (D–Sacramento) to take amendments in order to get a hearing on the bill.
- AB 379 makes it a misdemeanor to loiter in public with the intent to purchase commercial sex. It also creates the Survivor Support Fund to fund grant programs to community-based organizations that provide services to victims of sex trafficking and exploitation.
- The original version of Krell’s bill would have also made it a felony to purchase 16 and 17-year-olds for sex.
Democrats speak out: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a co-sponsor on AB 379, celebrated its passing on Tuesday yet also blasted her fellow Democrats for forcing the amendment on the bill.
- Kounalakis called AB 379 a step forward in protecting sex trafficking victims, yet she is “deeply disappointed that a key provision was stripped: one that would’ve made it crystal clear that buying sex from a child is always a felony – whether they’re 12, 16, or 17,” Kounalakis said on X.
- She continued, “These are kids. They’re vulnerable. And they deserve the full force of the law. I won’t stop fighting until every minor is protected and no child is treated as anything less than a victim.”
- Christine Pelosi, daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, didn’t hold back in her criticism of her own party, asking what California Democrats are doing.
- “As a mom of a 16-year-old child, I 100% believe it should be a felony to purchase one,” Pelosi said on X. “In what world do you think voters will trust a party that considers buying a 16-year-old to be ‘only’ a misdemeanor?”
Newsom gets involved: Gov. Gavin Newsom also got involved on Tuesday after the hearing, speaking out against the amendment.
- “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 office told KCRA.
Republicans respond: Republicans continue to shake their heads at their colleagues in the Legislature.
- Asm. David Tangipa (R–Clovis) said he is disgusted by Democrats.
- “Soliciting a child for sex should be a felony every time, all the time – for ALL minors – This is indefensible and I’m disgusted it’s an argument,” Tangipa said in a statement. “I have had family members who have been victims of human trafficking. Felony charges for the buyers of children for sex is not a political debate, but a moral obligation. If legislators do not work to protect Californian children, their actions support the buyer and the trafficker.”
