California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a significant step by signing a new law that reverses a previous decision he made in 2022.
This earlier legislation had decriminalized loitering, inadvertently facilitating sex trafficking, a move that had drawn criticism even from within his own party. The recent legislative action, however, seeks to address the unintended consequences of the past law.
According to Breitbart News, the 2022 law, SB 357, was championed by State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, with the aim of decriminalizing loitering. However, this led to a surge in street prostitution, including the exploitation of minors. The newly signed bill, AB 379, reinstates misdemeanor penalties for loitering and introduces harsher penalties for those soliciting sex from minors, particularly when the victim is more than three years younger than the offender.
The Sacramento Bee provides further details on the new legislation, noting that adults attempting to purchase sex from individuals aged 16 or 17 will now face felony charges, unless the age difference between the defendant and the victim is less than three years. Additionally, the law reinstates the crime of loitering with the intent to purchase sex, a provision that had been removed by the California Legislature in 2022.
The bill's passage was not without its challenges. Efforts by State Assemblymember Maggy Krell, a Democrat from Sacramento, to classify the solicitation of minors aged 16 and 17 as a felony were initially blocked by her fellow Democrats.
Similarly, Republican State Senator Shannon Grove's attempts to categorize sex trafficking of minors as a "serious felony" were thwarted, with the designation remaining limited to victims under 16 years of age, as previously reported by Breitbart News.
Governor Newsom's recent actions appear to be part of a broader strategy to distinguish himself from the more extreme elements of California's governance, particularly as he positions himself for a potential presidential bid.
This strategic pivot involved collaborating with Republicans and moderate Democrats, who often find themselves marginalized in the state's legislative process. By repealing a law he once supported, Newsom is attempting to navigate the complex political landscape of California while addressing the pressing issue of sex trafficking.
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