California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 379, a bill that reverses a controversial 2022 statute he himself had previously enacted — a rare political about-face designed to curb a spike in sex trafficking, particularly involving minors.
The new legislation restores misdemeanor penalties for loitering and strengthens criminal consequences for adults who solicit sex from minors aged 16 or 17, effectively closing legal loopholes that critics say fueled street prostitution and made it easier for traffickers to operate with impunity.
A Law Once Championed, Now Reversed
In 2022, Newsom signed SB 357, a bill authored by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), that decriminalized loitering with the intent to engage in sex work. Supporters argued that the original law had disproportionately targeted trans women and women of color, framing its repeal as a civil rights win.
However, law enforcement and local communities soon reported a surge in street-level prostitution, including disturbing increases in the exploitation of minors. Public pressure mounted, with both moderate Democrats and Republicans demanding legislative action.
What AB 379 Does
AB 379 reinstates loitering as a misdemeanor when it involves intent to engage in sex work, and adds felony penalties for adults who attempt to purchase sex from a 16- or 17-year-old, unless the age gap between the parties is less than three years.
“By signing this bill into law, California is again going on record to support survivors and victims of human trafficking, while penalizing those who solicit minors,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement to The Sacramento Bee.
The bill marks a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation in the California legislature, which is typically dominated by a progressive supermajority. Newsom was supported by Republicans and moderate Democrats, who had previously found themselves sidelined on criminal justice reform issues.
Internal Democrat Party Friction
The road to AB 379 wasn’t smooth. State Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D–Sacramento) faced opposition from within her own party when she attempted to make solicitation of minors a felony across the board.
Earlier efforts by Republican State Senator Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield) to classify sex trafficking of all minors — not just those under 16 — as a “serious felony” were also blocked by Democratic leadership.
Nonetheless, AB 379 passed amid growing concern that the state’s criminal justice reforms were inadvertently endangering vulnerable populations.
A Presidential Pivot?
The move comes at a politically sensitive time for Newsom, who is widely believed to be laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential run.
Earlier this month, Newsom traveled to South Carolina, an early primary state, to campaign for Democratic candidates — a sign many observers read as a test run for a national pitch.
By repealing one of his own signature laws, Newsom appears to be signaling a shift toward moderation — potentially distancing himself from California’s more controversial progressive policies.
A Sign of Policy Realignment?
While progressive advocates insist that re-criminalizing loitering may again lead to disproportionate policing, others argue that the state cannot afford to sacrifice public safety or the protection of minors for the sake of ideological solidarity.
“This is an admission that some reforms went too far, too fast,” said legal analyst Tara Martinez. “And it shows that even in deep-blue states, public outcry over issues like child exploitation can force lawmakers to recalibrate.”
READ NEXT: Newsom Podcast Announcement Receives Backlash
A ticking time-bomb set by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to Hurt ElectionsThey Must Be Stopped! |
