California Democrats fail to make child sex buying a felony
- California lawmakers modified Assembly Bill 379, initially intended to impose harsher penalties on those buying sex from 16- and 17-year-olds.
- The bill's author, Maggy Krell, was forced to compromise by removing controversial provisions to ensure the legislation advanced.
- This decision reflects ongoing tensions within the California legislature regarding the balance between effective trafficking laws and protecting vulnerable teenager rights.
In California, a controversial amendment was made to Assembly Bill 379, aimed at combating child sex trafficking. This legislation proposed making it a felony to buy sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, but under pressure, the author, State Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, agreed to remove this provision. The move came as a response to criticisms from both sides of the political aisle, with many advocates fearing that labeling older teens as felons could have unintended consequences, including adversely affecting LGBTQ+ and interracial relationships. The debate over the adequacy of the current laws, which only impose felony charges on buyers of children aged 15 and younger, raised questions about public safety and child protection rights. While some lawmakers have argued for stricter penalties, others cautioned against potential overreach that could lead to further criminalization of vulnerable teens that are already victims of trafficking. The bill still aims to criminalize the solicitation of minors and establish a victim support fund, serving as a starting point for addressing the issue of sex trafficking in California. The path ahead remains contentious, with commitments to revisit the legislation in the coming year to seek a more comprehensive solution to protect older minors without infringing on their rights.