Key Provision Removed Despite Governor’s Backing
California Democratic lawmakers have stripped a major child protection bill of its most vital provision. Assembly Bill 379, introduced by Assemblywoman Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) and Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), aimed to make it a felony to solicit sex from any minor.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis supported the bill’s original language. Yet despite their backing, Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted to remove the felony clause. The vote triggered bipartisan frustration and national outrage.
A Patch for a Legal Loophole
Last year, Grove authored Senate Bill 1414, which made it a felony to pay minors under 16 for sex. However, teens aged 16 and 17 were excluded. AB 379 sought to fix that. It would have closed the loophole, protecting all minors equally.
But the revised bill, gutted in committee, left that gap intact. Assemblyman Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), the committee chair, refused to advance the bill as written. Instead, he promised information hearings later in the year.
A Rare Bipartisan Push
Krell disagreed with her party’s decision. When Republicans proposed a “hostile” amendment to restore the felony language, Krell supported it. “I don’t see this as hostile,” she said, making clear she would vote in favor.
The moment marked a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation on the floor. It also exposed deep divides within the Democratic caucus on criminal justice reform and child protection.
Debate Sparks Tensions
The floor debate turned emotional. Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego), one of the few openly gay Republicans in the statehouse, took issue with earlier legislation — SB 357. That law decriminalized loitering for the purpose of prostitution.
“SB 357 legalized loitering for sex work,” DeMaio said. “Some claimed enforcing these laws was anti-LGBT. As a gay man, I find that offensive. Most in the gay community reject this narrative.”
His comments drew a sharp rebuke from Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles). “What’s offensive,” Gonzalez replied, “is when you stand here and call yourself gay, but vote against civil rights for gay people daily.”
Wider Fallout of Decriminalization
State Senator Scott Wiener, author of SB 357, defended the earlier law. He argued it targeted marginalized communities. According to Wiener, loitering laws had disproportionately affected Black women and transgender individuals.
However, the reality on the ground tells a troubling story. The New York Post recently reported that prostitution has surged in urban areas since SB 357 passed. In Los Angeles, parts of South Central have become open-air red-light districts.
Sources say minors are openly sold for sex during daylight hours. One 40-block stretch hosts dozens of underage girls, with used condoms littering the sidewalks.
Law Enforcement Voices Alarm
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, a former Democratic assemblyman, condemned the changes to AB 379. He cited a spike in local trafficking cases.
“In my agency, we currently have 17 open cases involving minors,” Cooper said. “So far this year, we’ve rescued seven girls from the sex trade. They are being exploited right now. The Legislature’s decision sends a dangerous message.”
Political Debate vs. Child Safety
As lawmakers bicker over criminal justice and identity politics, exploited children are left without protection. AB 379 had the potential to fix a critical flaw in California law. But politics once again got in the way of common-sense reform.
Public pressure may bring the bill back in full form this fall. For now, however, minors remain at risk while lawmakers continue to debate.
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