Facing a considerable wave of public pressure, Democratic legislators in California reversed their initial position on Thursday, reviving Senate Bill 14, a critical child trafficking bill that had previously been stalled.
The proposed legislation seeks to intensify the penalties for child trafficking offenders, adding the crime to the list of serious felonies in California, according to FOX Los Angeles.
Senate Bill 14, put forward by Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove, carries severe consequences. Any individual convicted of at least three serious felonies under this legislation would face a potential prison sentence ranging from 25 years to life.
Earlier this week, a curveball was thrown when the state Assembly Public Safety Committee, largely comprised of Democrats, chose to withhold their support, arguing against the notion of extended prison sentences as an effective crime deterrent.
RELATED: California Democrats Block Bill Making Trafficking Of Minors A Serious Felony
Public outcry was immense and Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, offered his public endorsement of the bill, making a break from party lines.
The committee approved the bill’s progress without proposing amendments. Four Democrats, including the committee chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, joined their Republican counterparts to advance the bill from the committee before the looming legislative deadline.
Assemblymember Liz Ortega expressed remorse over her initial decision to vote against the bill. “Voting against legislation targeting really bad people who traffic children was wrong,” she admitted in a tweet. “I regret doing that and I am going to help get this important legislation passed into law.”
Before reaching the Assembly floor for a vote, the legislation will undergo further review by the Appropriations Committee. Jones-Sawyer pledged to advocate for amendments ensuring that victims of child trafficking are not penalized, and to prevent the legislation from disproportionately affecting people of color.
Post-hearing, Jones-Sawyer shared with reporters, “We shouldn’t be playing politics. We should be coming together — together — to move this forward so that everybody is safe.” He committed to do all within his power to ensure the legislation lands on Gov. Newsom’s desk for signing into law.
Thankfully public pressure wins. Hopefully the powers that be do not destroy this bill in Appropriations.
