Current:Home > ScamsCalifornia governor signs law increasing penalty for soliciting minors to a felony -AlphaFinance Experts
California governor signs law increasing penalty for soliciting minors to a felony
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:08:22
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The penalty for soliciting and buying sex from minors under 15 will be raised to a felony under a new California law signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday.
Current state laws limit the penalties for soliciting a minor to a misdemeanor charge. In addition to making it a felony if the victims were under 15, the new law would also allow prosecutors to charge repeat offenders with a felony if the victims were at least 16 years old.
“Today marks an incredible victory for California children,” said Republican Sen. Shannon Grove, who authored the measure. “With the signing of my bill, SB 1414, we are reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us — our children.”
The bill received bipartisan support from the Legislature. Supporters said the new law will help protect more children and help law enforcement go after criminals who solicit minors for sex. The law will also help California correct its outdated provisions, they said.
The California legislation doesn’t go as far as laws in other states. In Texas, for example, an adult would be charged with a felony for soliciting a minor under 17 and could face harsher penalties if the victim was under 14.
Newsom on Thursday also signed three other measures to boost protections for human trafficking and domestic violence victims, including one requiring emergency rooms to implement protocols to allow patients who are potentially victims to discreetly notify health care workers of their abuse.
“Human trafficking is a disgusting and reprehensible crime that leaves lasting pain on victims and survivors,” Newsom said in a statement. “These new laws will help us further hold predators accountable and provide victims with the support and care they need.”
The Democratic governor, who has said he “cares deeply” about the issue, last year signed another bill authored by Grove to make child trafficking a serious crime. Anyone convicted of at least three serious felonies in California is punished by a sentence of between 25 years and life in prison, known as the “three strikes law.”
veryGood! (68952)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Plane with a 'large quantity of narcotics' emergency lands on California highway: Reports
- Kelsea Ballerini Reveals the Most Competitive Voice Coach
- California governor signs law increasing penalty for soliciting minors to a felony
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- How to watch the vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance
- Halsey shares she was recently hospitalized for a seizure: 'Very scary'
- Baltimore longshoremen sue owner and manager of ship that caused the Key Bridge collapse
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- SpaceX Crew-9, the mission that will return Starliner astronauts, prepares for launch
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Former Denver Broncos QB John Elway revealed as Leaf Sheep on 'The Masked Singer'
- Hurricane Helene's forecast looks disastrous far beyond Florida
- Here’s Why Jelly Roll Missed the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Pink denies rumors that she wiped social media accounts after Sean 'Diddy' Combs' arrest
- Pregnant Mormon Wives' Star Whitney Leavitt Reveals Name of Baby No. 3 With Husband Connor Leavitt
- Craig Conover Shares Update on Paige DeSorbo After “Scary” Panic Attack
Recommendation
American news website Axios laying off dozens of employees
What to know about Hurricane Helene and widespread flooding the storm left across the Southeast US
Opinion: Caitlin Clark needs to call out the toxic segment of her fan base
Maggie Smith, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey Star, Dead at 89
Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
Catherine Zeta-Jones celebrates Michael Douglas' 80th birthday 'in my birthday suit'
Ex-Chili Peppers guitarist denies a manslaughter charge in the death of a pedestrian
Google expert at antitrust trial says government underestimates competition for online ad dollars