(FamilyConservationPAC.com) – On Tuesday, a bill that aimed to classify trafficking in minors as a “serious felony” was defeated by a California State Assembly committee dominated by Democrats.
The State Senate had previously unanimously approved the Republican bill.
SB 14 Update—After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony. I am profoundly disappointed that… pic.twitter.com/al3KoD1qw6
— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) July 11, 2023
The bill, SB 14, was presented by Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), who also noted that California leads the nation in the number of cases of child trafficking that have been documented.
Trafficking a kid being classified as a “serious felony” would eliminate most opportunities for plea bargaining and force the crime to fall under the “Three Strikes” rule, which was passed in the 1990s and provides for life in prison after three felonies.
Grove stated on Tuesday that the bill was not advanced by the Public Safety Committee, which was chaired by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-South Los Angeles).
😡😡😡
The EVIL CA Dems Block bill that would make Child Trafficking a Felony…
Why are these people so evil… what are they hiding⁉️ Anyone who isn’t 1000% against Child Trafficking should probably be investigated… just sayin’ pic.twitter.com/eozHAi0TSj
— 𝕊𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝔼𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝔻𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕣 🇺🇸 (@nomandatesco) July 12, 2023
Jones-Sawyer also authorizes a law permitting judges to “rectify racial bias” in the criminal justice system through criminal punishment.
Grove said in a statement:
“After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex trafficking of a minor a serious felony.
I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime.
Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties.
The sad reality is that trafficked children on Figueroa Street and across California will continue to be raped and victimized until Assembly Democrats take action.
Since the bill was granted reconsideration, I will continue to work with the committee and fight for Californians who are outraged by their decision.
SB 14 was voted down in the Assembly Public Safety Committee with 6 Democrats abstaining and 2 Republicans voting aye. The measure was also granted reconsideration.”
Reconsideration is a possibility for the measure; thus, it still can pass.
The unexpected independent box office success ‘Sound of Freedom’ brought to light the issue of human trafficking.
It has attracted audiences nationwide, outperforming recent mainstream Hollywood studio productions.
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