Senator Fights to Make Buying a Minor for Sex a Felony, No Exceptions

This Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will make critical decisions on numerous bills, but none are more vital than SB 1414. Originally introduced by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), this bill sought to make the solicitation of a minor for sex a felony, punishable by 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Furthermore, it required that anyone convicted of this heinous crime be registered as a sex offender, ensuring that these predators are tracked and unable to harm more children.

The Erosion of SB 1414’s Protections

However, as SB 1414 made its way through the Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees, it was significantly weakened. In the amended version of the bill, the increased penalties only apply to minors aged 16 or 17 if the prosecutor can prove they are victims of human trafficking, which is often difficult to do. The bill was also amended so that first-time offenders whose victims were under 16, could be charged with a misdemeanor with jail time of only one year or a felony with jail time of 16 months to 3 years. Yet, imprisonment must happen in county jail, not state prison.

Even more troubling is the change regarding sex offender registration. Under the current amendments, an adult would only be required to register as a sex offender after a second conviction, and only if there is an age gap of more than ten years between the perpetrator and the victim. This means that a first-time offender could escape sex offender registration entirely, even if they have preyed on a vulnerable child.

California’s Battle Against Human Trafficking

At California Family Council, we believe these changes fail to adequately protect our children. We stand with Senator Grove in urging the legislature to restore SB 1414 to its original form, which offered stronger protections for all minors.

“Every child, regardless of age, deserves to be protected from being purchased by adults,” says Greg Burt, Vice President of California Family Council. “The legislature must take a strong stand against the sexual exploitation of children and restore SB 1414 to its original version. Anything less sends a message that some children are less worthy of protection.”

The reality is that California remains a hub for human trafficking, consistently ranking number one in cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises globally, generating an estimated $150 billion annually. This modern-day slavery profits from the exploitation of our most vulnerable populations—our children. There is no such thing as a minor consensually engaging in sex with an adult; these children are being exploited, abused, and trafficked.

SB 1414, in its original form, would have given a stronger voice to children who have endured this horrific abuse. By treating the buying of a child for sex with the severity it deserves, our laws would better reflect the gravity of this crime. However, with the current amendments, the bill falls short of offering the necessary protection to all minors.

Let’s not settle for a watered-down version of this crucial legislation. Our children deserve better.

A Call to Action:

• Contact Members of the Appropriations Committee: Click here to see their Numbers
• Contact Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas: (916) 319-2029
• Contact Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Mike McGuire: (916) 651-4002