0:00 - California’s Bill to Make Purchasing Child Sex a Felony Moves Forward
2:24 - New Amendments Forced Into the Bill, Creating Potential Loopholes
4:30 - Potential Impacts on Child Sex Victims Under the New Amendment
7:33 - Why Sex Trafficking Bills Weren’t Paid Attention in California in the Past
California State Senator Shannon Grove recently introduced Senate Bill 1414, which aims to strengthen penalties for purchasing sex from minors in the state. Currently under California law, purchasing sex from a minor is classified as a misdemeanor.
Senator Grove’s bill proposed making this a felony offense, with a $25,000 penalty and sex offender registration for repeat offenders. The bill received support from human trafficking survivors during committee hearings.
However, the Senate Public Safety Committee amended the bill in ways that have concerned advocates. The amendments exclude 16 and 17-year-olds from being defined as minors. They also allow perpetrators to avoid sex offender registration if they are within 10 years of age of the minor.
Senator Grove argues these amendments weaken protections for children and could incentivize targeting older minors. She is urging the public to contact their state senators and express opposition to the amendments.
The debate highlights the challenge of balancing penalties, rehabilitation, and protecting victims. While some argue for leniency, especially for first-time offenders, others stress the vulnerability of minors and the long-term harm of sexual exploitation.
*Views expressed in this video/article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of California Insider.
