In a disappointing turn of events, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee has blocked a crucial bill aimed at combating human trafficking of minors.
The proposed legislation, known as HB 14, sought to address California’s troubling distinction of leading the nation in reported human trafficking cases, while also acknowledging the global scope of this horrific crime, estimated to be a staggering $150 billion industry annually.
HB 14 intended to classify human trafficking of a minor as a serious felony, subjecting offenders to California’s Three Strikes Law, which could result in a life sentence for those convicted twice.
While the bill had received unanimous approval in the State Senate, it faced significant opposition within the committee, with no support from any of the six Democrats serving on the panel.
The only votes in favor of the bill came from Republican Assemblymen Juan Alanis and Tom Lackey.
Reggie Jones-Sawyer, the Chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and a Democrat representing Los Angeles, emerged as a prominent opponent of the bill.
Despite Democrats on the committee expressing initial support for the legislation, they ultimately refrained from voting, citing concerns over challenging the committee’s chair.
This decision was met with outrage from the public gallery, as victims of human trafficking, overcome with emotion, cried out their disappointment.
Shouts of “You’re horrible!” and “You should be ashamed of yourselves!” filled the chamber.
Expressing her profound disappointment, Republican state Senator Shannon Grove, a co-author of HB 14, highlighted the misguided objections of committee Democrats to any form of penalty increase, regardless of the heinous nature of the crime.
Grove drew attention to the irony that passing a note to a bank or committing arson are both classified as serious felonies, while trafficking a minor in California is not. She firmly emphasized, “That’s wrong.”
Senator Grove’s attempts to discuss the bill with Assemblyman Jones-Sawyer proved futile.
Despite her numerous phone calls and those made by her staff, he did not make himself available for a meeting.
Jones-Sawyer’s office responded, stating that they were aware of a single call from Senator Grove’s staff, but it resulted in no changes to either office’s stance on the bill.
This disappointing outcome comes on the heels of the committee’s rejection of other measures aimed at increasing penalties for domestic violence offenders, rapists of developmentally disabled children, and other sexually violent crimes.
The committee’s decisions reflect a concerning pattern of resistance towards tougher penalties for serious offenses.
California’s failure to pass HB 14 sends a troubling message regarding its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
As the fight against human trafficking continues, proponents of tougher legislation and enhanced penalties must redouble their efforts to ensure that justice is served and that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes face the appropriate consequences.
RELATED: Hollywood Stunned as Sound of Freedom Ticket Sales Blow Away Expectations