Following the success of her bill targeting human traffickers, Sen. Shannon Grove has introduced companion bi-partisan legislation aimed at those who solicit sex with a minor.
The Bakersfield Republican’s Senate Bill 1414, which is jointly authored by Democratic Senators Anna Caballero of Merced and Susan Rubio of Baldwin Park, seeks to strengthen protections for children by making the act of soliciting, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in any act of commercial sex with a minor, a felony.
When Grove’s Senate Bill 14 passed, increasing the punishment for pimps and other traffickers, she hinted that more was coming to target the sex trade in minors.
“It takes two criminals to commit the crime of child sex trafficking, a buyer and a seller,” said Grove. “With the passage of SB 14, we went after the sellers and now we are going after the buyers, those who are purchasing sex from children.”
“Anyone who pays to commit brutal crimes against children should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.
This new bill targets those who prey on children. It’s part of an evolving sex trafficking equation, picking off another element of the sex trade.
Traffickers will not be able to claim innocence because of the victim’s appearance, or similar defenses. If they claim no knowledge or suspicions about the victim, it’s still a felony charge.
If Grove’s new bill passes, the penalty for the crime will go from a misdemeanor to a felony, with more severe sentencing possible.
Political observers described the bill as a “no brainer” that is expected to become law.