One would think that legislation aimed at protecting children from being sex trafficked would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some in California who opposed a law that would increase penalties for those who solicit minors for sex.
Currently, this offense is classified as a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail or a minimum of two days with a $10,000 fine. The new law would upgrade the offense to a felony that would impose a sentence of up to four years in prison with a $25,000 fine.
At a hearing, several LGBTQ activists voiced their opposition to the measure, arguing that it would somehow target members of the LGBTQ community and racial minorities.
The bipartisan measure, SB1414, would make it a felony offense for an adult to solicit or pay for sex with a minor. Amendments to the measure require that those accused of soliciting…
