Overview

• Under current California law, soliciting sex from minors aged 15 or younger is a felony, while doing so with 16- and 17-year-olds remains a misdemeanor.
• Assemblymember Maggy Krell’s bill, AB 379, sought to close this legal gap, but Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee amended the bill to exclude felony penalties for older teens.
• Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision, advocating for uniform felony treatment for all minors under the age of 18 targeted by sex predators.
• Republicans attempted to force a floor vote to reinstate the felony provision but were unsuccessful as Democrats rejected the effort during Thursday's legislative session.
• Public Safety Chair Nick Schultz committed to revisiting the proposal next year after gathering more feedback, with Democrats stating their intent to strengthen protections for older teens.