Newsom signs child sex trafficking bill that exposed cracks in prison reform efforts
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday that will increase penalties for those convicted of child sex trafficking, a seemingly straightforward measure that instead divided Democrats over how to handle crimes that disproportionately affect women and children.
Senate Bill 14 will reclassify sex trafficking of minors as a "serious" felony, potentially resulting in a life sentence under the state's "three strikes" law, which also applies to crimes such as murder and rape. The measure earned unanimous approval from the 80 members of the state Assembly and the 40-member Senate.
"Human trafficking is a sick crime. With this new law, California is going further to protect kids," Newsom said in
