Million Kids Exploited - California's SB357 Issues and Impact

CALIFORNIA'S SENATE BILL 357 HAS PASSED THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY AND NOW ON GOV. NEWSOM'S DESK FOR SIGNING

Hosts: Opal Singleton and Nancy Aguirre

California SB 357 is a very controversial bill that is now on Gov. Newsom's desk for signing.

The bill is called "The California Safe Streets Act".  The bill was authored by Sen. Weiner and is focused on redefining California Penal Code in the definition of loitering for the purpose of prostitution.  Those supporting the bill actually call it a "human trafficking" bill.  Their position is that many individuals engaged in prostitution are of people of color and they are unfairly targeted by law enforcement.  This bill will make it so law enforcement cannot intervene with individuals who may be loitering for the purpose of prostitution.  This will in essence legalize street prostitution.

The bill was passed with votes along party lines in both the Senate and the Assembly.  Sen Weiner decided to hold the bill until after the recall election before sending it to the Governor for signature.  The bill is highly controversial and many legislators have been contacted by individuals asking them to not sign the bill.  Many survivors of sex trafficking have protested in Sacramento saying the bill will create many more victims of sex trafficking if law enforcement cannot intervene.

Million Kids has issued multiple press releases indicating their concern about this bill. Unlike other states that have legalized prostitution, this bill has few restrictions. We are greatly concerned that California is about to experience thousands more victims of sex trafficking as word spreads around the country that loitering for prostitution in California is legal.  Additionally, thousands of vulnerable individuals will be at risk including homeless, undocumented individuals owing a debt to a trafficker, massage parlor workers that will now solicit on the street, and our kids who will witness street sexual solicitation.

This week we will discuss the issues at hand if Governor Newsom decides to sign this bill.

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