Assembly Passes Child Protection Bill After Key Felony Fix Restored

SACRAMENTO — The California State Assembly today passed AB 379, legislation that would make it a felony for adults to solicit sex from 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill received bipartisan support after Republicans led a successful effort to restore critical felony penalties that had been removed in committee.

Thanks to the leadership of Assemblywoman Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento), and weeks of public pressure from survivors, law enforcement, and Republican legislators, the bill now reflects its original intent to hold predators accountable and protect vulnerable youth.

“Thank you to Assemblywoman Maggy Krell for her steadfast dedication to protecting children from these monsters. I am so happy the bill has been restored to its original language,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (East Nicolaus).

Community advocates praised lawmakers with the sense to stand with victims:

“Had AB 379 been in place when I was trafficked, my life would have been very different,” said trafficking survivor Anabel Velasquez.

“I don’t want these loopholes to continue for buyers to get away with harming children,” added survivor Ashley Faison-Maddox.

“Californians are watching every day,” said Anna Berry from Crime Victims United. “Lawmakers must decide whether they stand with families and survivors, or with criminals that hurt them and threaten public safety.”

AB 379 now moves to the Senate Public Safety Committee, where similar protections were removed from last year’s SB 1414. Some lawmakers have already signaled concerns, but with bipartisan momentum behind this bill, the Senate has an opportunity to get it right.

Watch the full media availability HERE, and access the high resolution photos HERE.

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