Bill > AB379

This bill addresses human trafficking and prostitution by implementing several key provisions. It increases penalties for soliciting minors for prostitution, making it a more serious offense if the minor is more than 3 years younger than the defendant. The bill requires defendants convicted of such offenses to complete an education program on human trafficking and child exploitation if granted probation. It introduces a new misdemeanor for loitering in public places with the intent to purchase commercial sex, with a $1,000 fine that will be deposited into a newly created Survivor Support Fund. The bill also expands requirements for businesses to post human trafficking awareness notices, increasing civil penalties for non-compliance from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense. Additionally, it authorizes the Attorney General to enforce provisions related to sex trafficking in hotels and increases potential civil penalties for hotels that fail to address sex trafficking activities. The bill establishes a grant program through the California Victim Compensation Board to provide funding to community-based organizations that support sex trafficking victims, with a focus on organizations led by or guided by survivors. Finally, it creates a program to provide financial assistance to up to 11 district attorney offices for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, requiring them to use a vertical prosecution methodology and report on their efforts.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB379