SACRAMENTO–Human trafficking legislation by California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) that would increase penalties for those attempting to purchase sex was approved by the Assembly today on a bipartisan 71-1 vote. It now proceeds to the State Senate.

Under Assembly Bill 1708, California would, for the first time, treat the purchasing and selling of sex as different crimes, allowing for different penalties. This fundamental change allows a wide range of changes to be made which both improve protections for trafficking victims and create stronger deterrents for purchasers who sustain the market for sex trafficking. AB 1708 would increasing penalties for purchasers of sex who drive demand for exploitation, requiring a person who sought to procure or did procure sexual services to spend at least 72 hours in jail with flexible sentencing implementation, in addition to paying a minimum fine of $1,000 to fund victim services. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for sex trafficking at or near a school, adding an additional year in state prison to a felony conviction for trafficking if the victim was a minor and the activities took place at or near a school.

“I’m encouraged by the strong, bipartisan support for getting serious about the crime of human trafficking and the purchasers who drive the demand of human trafficking,” Gonzalez said.

Assemblywoman Gonzalez has worked with victim advocates, support providers, law enforcement, prosecutors and other stakeholders in San Diego County and statewide to develop and refine these proposals, drawing from experience on the front lines to reduce demand and more effectively help victims of sex trafficking.

An expansive recent study into the underground sex industry in San Diego County estimated more than 11,000 sex trafficking victims/survivors each year in San Diego County with an average entry age of 15 years-old. It further found that 42 percent of first-time prostitution arrests were actually instances of sex trafficking, and estimated the industry generated $810 million in annual revenue regionally, involving more than 100 area gangs.

The bill is supported by the California District Attorneys