California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced support for a bill that would make soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds for sex a felony, following a decision by Democratic lawmakers to remove this provision from the legislation. Newsom’s statement, released on Tuesday, emphasized the need for consistent treatment of sex predators under the law. “The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim’s age,” Newsom stated, according to KCRA.
The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Maggy Krell, aimed to strengthen penalties for those soliciting minors, but was altered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee to exclude older teens. Krell, a former prosecutor, expressed disappointment, stating, “I don’t think we’re doing enough to protect children from sex trafficking,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Some Democrats have raised concerns about the potential impact of harsher penalties on the LGBTQ community and people of color, fearing misuse of the law in cases involving older teens in consensual relationships. Assemblyman Nick Schultz noted the importance of balanced policy solutions, acknowledging the complexities surrounding the issue, as mentioned in Politico.
Newsom’s intervention marks his third instance of challenging his party on sex trafficking legislation. The governor’s stance may prompt further discussions and potential amendments to the bill as it progresses through the legislative process.
Recent Comments