A California legislative bill calling child trafficking a “serious felony” was blocked in the legislature on Tuesday.
Congressional Public Safety Commission blocked Senate Bill 14It was sponsored by State Senator Shannon Grove, according to the Senator’s tweet. (Related: Sarah Sanders signs bill banning parole for rapists and traffickers)
SB 14 UPDATE—After passing the Senate by bipartisan unanimous vote, I voted Democrats on the Congressional Public Safety Commission, led by Rep. Reggie Jones Sawyer, to make minor sex trafficking a serious felony. I expected you to agree. I am very sorry… pic.twitter.com/al3KoD1qw6
— Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) July 11, 2023
“No matter how heinous the crime was, I was stubborn and misguided in my opposition to increasing fines, and was very disappointed that the Democratic Commission was unwilling to support the bill,” she said.
State law currently defines “serious felony” as “murder or manslaughter, rioting, rape” and other crimes that may lead to “death penalty” or “state life imprisonment.” SB14 was to amend the law to include “trafficking of minors,” according to the bill.
The bill had previously passed the Senate unanimously and with bipartisan support, according to reports. California State Legislative Website.
KCRA News’ California Capitol correspondent Ashley Zavala tweeted that the victim screamed “terrible!”
Justin: The Congressional Public Safety Commission blocked SB 14, in which trafficking of minors could be a serious felony in California.
“Terrible!” was yelled at the stage as the victims sobbed.
The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support. https://t.co/2xIsoV7vhi
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) July 11, 2023
Senator Grove shared more information about the bill against her web pagevideos about human trafficking in California, and more.
This bill was supported by Elizabeth SmartAccording to Senator Grove’s page, the woman was kidnapped as a teenager, according to Concerned Women for America and other groups. Subway servicewhose founder Tim Ballard recently high-grossing movies A group called the Sound of Freedom also supported the bill, according to Grove’s webpage.
