Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signs into law four new human trafficking bills to create stronger penalties for human trafficking and supporting victims.
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SB1414 increases penalties for soliciting a minor and provides tools for prosecutors to charge the buyer with a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
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SB963 requires hospitals with an emergency department to implement policies to identify HT victims to receive assistance and resources.
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AB2020 requires law enforcement and Commission on POST to create minimum guidelines for law enforcement personnel when interacting with HT victims.
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AB1888 establishes new Labor Trafficking Unit with the Department of Justice and requires coordination with agencies for reporting labor trafficking for investigation and prosecution, including developing a tracking system to collect labor trafficking reports.
“Today marks an incredible victory for California children. I am grateful to the Governor, First Partner, and my co-authors for once again joining me in the fight against human trafficking. With the signing of my bill, SB1414, we are reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us – our children. Last year with my SB14 we targeted the traffickers selling children. This year with SB1414 we have gone after the buyers of trafficked children. Criminals have been far ahead of us when it comes to child sex trafficking. We must have a strong approach to eradicate this brutal crime and ensure no child is reduced to a commodity.” – Senator Shannon Grove
“No imperative is more essential than our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. To that we will continue bipartisan efforts to keep children safe from the heinous crime of sex trafficking as well as strengthen our protections for victims and survivors. Crimes against children have no place in California.” – First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
