California Committee Under Fire for Blocking Child Sex Trafficking Bill
The Assembly Public Safety Committee in California is facing criticism after rejecting a bill that would have classified child sex trafficking as a serious felony. The bill, written by Republican State Sen. Shannon Grove, aimed to keep repeat offenders behind bars longer and make them ineligible for early release. All six Democrats on the committee abstained from the vote, prompting scrutiny from Democratic state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom expressed his desire to address the issue and called Grove to discuss the matter. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and emphasized the need for more transparency and cohesion in the Assembly's processes. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, but there is pressure to address the issue promptly.