California Increases Felonies for Sex With Minors

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 379 into law, making it a felony for adults at least three years older than 16- and 17-year-olds to purchase sex from them and restoring misdemeanor penalties for loitering with intent to buy sex. The law, effective January 1, 2026, targets the demand side of human trafficking and allocates increased resources for victim support services. The legislation faced significant controversy, with Democrats initially reducing felony provisions due to concerns about unjust prosecutions, but backlash from Republicans, survivors, and Newsom led to the restoration of stricter penalties. Assemblymember Maggy Krell, who advocated for tougher measures, was removed as principal author, though her intent was preserved in the final version. Advocates and survivors say the law is a significant step in protecting teens and supporting trafficking victims, but concerns remain about potential misuse. The law also establishes a survivors support fund, financed by increased fines on offenders and non-compliant businesses.