Sacramento – Democrats in Congress oppose a controversial bill that would increase the fines for minors aged 16 or 17, a change that occurred after they faced criticism from Republicans and condemnation by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
New amendments to the legislation, AB 379, will allow prosecutors to file felony charges against adults aged 16 or 17. If the defendant is three years older than the minor, he can be charged with felony crime. If the offender is within three years of a minor, the charge is a misdemeanor.
The bill will now include a state grant program to help simplify prosecution of trafficking and sex trafficking cases, as well as support funds for survivors, with partly increased by fines from businesses that ignore or aid trafficking in persons.
Current law allows for the solicitation of offences under the age of 16 as misdemeanors or felony for the first offence and subsequent felony offences.
Combination Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) wrote AB 379, extending the same punishment to those who solicit 16 and 17 years old. Last week, the Democratic-led parliament approved an amendment that eliminates the rules that Creer objected.
On Tuesday, Krell issued a statement supporting the new changes in Democratic leadership.
“I look at this from a prosecutor's perspective – the bill strengthens California law and gives us felony hammers prosecuting teenagers for squirting squirming,” she said in a statement.
Krell temporarily ally with Republicans when there were two options last week – amending the bill without adding felony charges, or leaving it dead on the committee. Despite Newsom's comments, Democrats defended the amendment, saying anyone with minors should be charged with felony crimes.
The bill is still being considered in Parliament in the form of an amendment.
