California Senate approves bill increasing penalties for buyers of sex with minors; foes warn loitering provision risks discriminatory policing

SACRAMENTO — The California State Senate on Tuesday passed Assembly Bill 379, a measure that increases criminal penalties for adults who solicit minors for commercial sex, establishes a survivor support fund for victims and creates new enforcement tools for prosecutors while adding a loitering-with-intent provision that several senators said risks discriminatory application.

The bill, carried on the floor by Senator Aragon on behalf of Assemblymember Maggie Crowell and others, authorizes felony punishment for solicitation of a minor by an adult more than three years older than the minor, creates a misdemeanor offense for loitering with the intent to purchase commercial sex, and includes civil penalties for hotels and motels that "deliberately look the other way" on trafficking, according to the bill summary presented on the floor. The author and supporters also said the bill directs funds to community-based organizations that serve survivors.

Supporters framed the measure as a tool to reduce demand and to expand services for survivors. "These kids are not criminals," said Senator Valadares, urging passage and describing the bill as a way to hold buyers accountable and to funnel fines to front-line nonprofits. Senator Grove recalled prior efforts (including SB 14 and SB 1414) to address buyers and said solicitation protections for 16- and 17-year-olds are long overdue.

Several senators — including Senator Dr. Weber Pearson, the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus — warned the loitering provision could replicate the harms of past vagrancy and loitering statutes. "Loitering…