California Lawmakers Weaken Proposed Punishment For Teen Sex Solicitation

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California lawmakers successful nan Assembly Public Safety Committee blocked an effort that would person made soliciting 16 and 17-year-olds for activity a felony. Former charismatic and existent Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell projected Assembly Bill 379, saying perpetrators who waste aliases bargain children for activity merit harsher punishment.

Last year, nan Golden State passed a measurement making it a felony to acquisition children 15 and younger for sex. That rule went into effect successful January.

Portions of AB 379 advance

Parts of Krell’s measure did move forward. If AB 379 becomes law, it would still criminalize those who loiter to acquisition teens for activity and found a money to support victims of activity trafficking.

However, nan proviso that would person made it a felony to solicit activity from older children was removed successful bid to let nan measure to move forward.

Krell responds to amendment

“I disagree pinch that amendment,” Krell said during nan committee hearing. “I needed to return it to get this hearing. I’m grateful for nan proceeding and I judge nan amendment and I look guardant to moving pinch nan committee –– including Assemblymember [Tom] Lackey, whose comments I really appreciated –– to make judge that we bring different measure to protect 16 and 17-year-olds who are being purchased for sex. They’re victims.”

Critics definitive concerns

Critics of nan bill’s proviso argue that it could person led to criminal charges against teenagers progressive successful consensual relationships –– peculiarly those who are successful LGBTQ+ aliases interracial relationships and person parents who disapprove.

“There were a batch of younker advocates and activists who were concerned astir nan measurement that automatic felonies levied against older teens successful relationships pinch different minors,” said Leela Chapelle, pinch nan Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), arsenic reported by KXTV.

Representatives pinch CAST spoke to VanGuard News Group and opportunity nan measure is besides apt to target definite group arsenic it makes “loitering” a crime, erstwhile again. CAST argues group driving astir nan incorrect vicinity aliases those stepping down nan thoroughfare could get arrested if an serviceman considers it to beryllium “loitering.”

“AB 379 repeats nan grounded ‘end demand’ strategy that excessively often results successful nan apprehension and criminalization of group trading sex—including those who are being trafficked—while ignoring nan guidelines causes of exploitation,” according to CAST.

Committee president cites caution

Assemblymember Nick Shultz, nan Democratic president of nan committee, made nan eventual determination to move nan measure guardant pinch nan amendment. He says he wants to spot really cases are prosecuted nether nan caller rule earlier changing it again.

“While I afloat understand and empathize pinch nan author’s desire to alteration nan law,” Shultz said during nan hearing, “I deliberation it would beryllium much wise to spot really cases get prosecuted nether this caller statutory model to place what is moving and what is not.”