Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Wednesday that increases penalties for certain offenders who solicit 16- and 17-year-olds for sex. The legislation, Assembly Bill 379, allows prosecutors to charge suspects who are at least three years older than the minor they solicit with a felony instead of a misdemeanor, often referred to as a “wobbler” due to the discretion given to prosecutors.
The new law specifically targets older offenders, or “johns,” while avoiding felony charges for younger individuals. It builds upon existing laws that already consider cases involving minors under 16 and those 18 who are victims of human trafficking as wobblers. The bill faced controversy during its development, with Democrats initially opposing the felony provision, fearing it could harm victims. However, Newsom supported the change, stating, “The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim’s age” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Assemblymember Maggy Krell, who originally authored the bill, faced political backlash but emphasized the importance of protecting minors from exploitation. “This is about protecting the girls who are being bought and sold for sex on street corners in cities throughout California,” Krell said in a statement reported by KCRA.
The new law also reintroduces a misdemeanor for loitering with the intent to purchase sex, a reversal of a 2021 law that decriminalized such actions. Critics, including some progressive Democrats, expressed concerns that the loitering provision could disproportionately affect minorities and marginalized communities. The law, which also establishes a survivors support fund, will take effect on January 1, 2026.
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