Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) intervened to advance a law that would increase the penalty for child trafficking after state Democrats rejected it.
In a Tuesday hearing, the California state assembly voted down a bill, introduced by State Sen. Shannon Grove (R), that would make child trafficking a serious felony in California. The increase would make people charged with the crime eligible for the state's "three strikes" law, in which those charged with three serious felonies face 25 years to life in prison.
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Democrats in the Assembly Public Safety Committee declined to advance the bill, arguing that it would punish "disadvantaged communities." Newsom disagreed and stepped in to revive the bill.
The California governor expressed his surprise that the bill hadn't passed, according to the Associated Press, and called Grove to express his support. He also expressed a desire to figure out why the bill didn't pass.
“I want to understand exactly what happened yesterday (in the committee),” Newsom said. “I take it very seriously.”
He added that his call to Grove “is indicative of my desire to see what we can do with [the bill],” as it is an issue he "cares deeply" about. He highlighted his previous efforts to combat child trafficking.
Democratic lawmakers justified their rejection of the bill by arguing that the Three Strikes model is ineffective, and would hurt marginalized communities.
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"The Three Strikes model of sentencing is ineffective in preventing crime and protecting the public's safety. We will not build on a deeply flawed sentencing system that unfairly punishes disadvantaged communities," Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, the chairman of the committee, said in a statement.
"SB14 makes no new corrective actions or enhancements to laws already in place. Ultimately, members of the Assembly's Public Safety Committee understood the author's intent but recognized this bill needs considerable work and granted reconsideration," he added.