People looking to purchase a child for sex in California will now face harsher penalties.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1414 into law, which was authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield) to combat human trafficking and protect California’s children.
The big picture: Under SB 1414, anyone who solicits a child under the age of 16 for sex or a child under the age of 18 for sex who was also a victim of human trafficking will face up to one year in county jail and a maximum of a $10,000 fine.
- If the fine is not levied, violators would be imprisoned in county jail for 16 months to two to three years.
- A second offense would be punished as a felony and result in jail time up to three years.
- Violators will also have to register as a sex offender for 10 years if the victim was more than 10 years younger than the violator and if the violator has a prior conviction for soliciting a minor.
Flashback: The version of SB 1414 that Newsom signed is not the original bill that Grove introduced.
- In April, Democrats in the Senate Public Safety Committee forced amendments on the bill that Grove objected to.
- Democrats carved out an exemption for soliciting 16 and 17-year-olds and decreased the fine that Grove proposed from $25,000 to $10,000 if the solicited minor was under the age of 16.
Go deeper: Along with SB 1414, Newsom also signed three more bills that are intended to protect human trafficking victims and hold predators accountable.
- Senate Bill 963 requires hospitals that have an emergency room to allow patients to confidentially self-identify themselves to the hospital as a victim of human trafficking or domestic violence.
- Assembly Bill 2020 requires law enforcement and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to create minimum guidelines for law enforcement when interacting with survivors of human trafficking.
- Assembly Bill 1888 establishes a new Labor Trafficking Unit within the Department of Justice and requires law enforcement to refer reports of labor trafficking.
What they’re saying: Grove posted on X that SB 1414 getting signed is an incredible victory for children.
- “Criminals have been far ahead of us when it comes to child sex trafficking,”
Grove wrote. “We must have a strong approach to eradicate this brutal crime and ensure no child is reduced to a commodity.”
- “Human trafficking is a disgusting and reprehensible crime that leaves lasting pain on victims and survivors,” Newsom said. “These new laws will help us further hold predators accountable and provide victims with the support and care they need.”
