Sacramento Standard

Senator Shannon Grove’s Senate Bill 1414 (SB 1414) has passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill addresses the crime of sex trafficking and aims to increase penalties for those who purchase children for sex.

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) issued a statement following the committee's decision:

“Today the scales of justice tipped in favor of the victims of child sex trafficking. SB 1414 has passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is moving to the Assembly for a full floor vote. Thankfully, once signed, predators who purchase any child ages 15 and below for sex would be charged with a felony."

Grove added that while her original bill included protections for children of all ages, amendments forced by Senator Wahab, Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, excluded 16 and 17-year-old children from these additional felony protections, allowing a misdemeanor charge instead.

"I will not stop fighting until all of California’s children are equally protected, but I am thankful we are stepping in the right direction,” she stated.

SB 1414 will now move to the Assembly Floor for a full vote by the Assembly.