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SACROMENTO – Congressional Democrats opposed a controversial bill that increased penalties for recruiting 16- or 17-year-old minors. This came after facing a barrage of criticism from Republicans and a rebel from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
A new amendment to the law, AB 379, allows prosecutors to file felony charges against adults seeking sex from people aged 16 or 17. If the defendant is three years older than the minor, he or she may be charged with a felony. If the offender is within three years of a minor, the charge is a misdemeanor.
The bill includes a state grant program to streamline prosecution in human trafficking and sex trafficking cases, as well as a fund for survivors’ support.
Current law allows minors under the age of 16 to be punished for sex as a misdemeanor or felony for the first offence, and as a felony for subsequent offences.
Assembly member Maggie Cler (D-Sacramento) created the AB 379, extending the same punishment to those who recruited 16 and 17 years olds. Last week, a democracy-led parliament approved an amendment that removed the provision.
On Tuesday, Krell issued a statement in support of new changes in Democratic leadership.
“I’m looking at this from the prosecutor’s point of view. This bill strengthens California law and gives you a felony hammer to indict creepers preying on teenagers,” she said in a statement.
Clell formed a temporary alliance with Republicans last week, when given two options, either amending the bill without a felony charge or letting him die on the committee. Democrats defended the amendment despite comments from Newsom, despite saying that anyone seeking minors should be charged with a felony.
The bill is still under consideration in its amended form in Congress.
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