GOP to force vote restoring felony penalties stripped by Assembly Democrats for purchasing minors for sex
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Republicans will introduce amendments tomorrow to restore felony-level penalties for adults who attempt to buy sex from 16- and 17-year-olds. These protections were quietly erased by Assembly Democrats on the Public Safety Committee.
“It is absolutely shameful that radical Democrats allowed this to happen,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. “There is nothing ‘nuanced’ about adults buying children for sex. There is nothing ‘informational’ about protecting predators while kids are being trafficked. They stripped felony protections from the bill, and now they want to host a hearing in L.A. months from now?”
The amendments reintroduce common-sense provisions from AB 379 (Krell) that had broad public and bipartisan support. Democrats removed them without explanation, and have since tried to justify the decision by promising to “gather information” at a future hearing.
Assembly Public Safety Chair Nick Schultz said in a statement this week:
“We invite [the governor] to join us in LA later this year for an informational hearing on the topic… Information gathering is an important part of the job of every elected official.”
Gallagher responded: “No more delays. No more dodges. The information is clear, the evidence is overwhelming, and the predators are out there right now. We don’t need more informational hearings to hold predators accountable. What Assembly Democrats need isn’t more information, it’s a moral compass.”
Tomorrow’s amendments will force Assembly Democrats to go on the record. Will they stand with victims, or with the predators buying kids?
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