"Newsom Takes Action: Strengthening Child Sex Trafficking Laws, LGBTQ Rights, and Parental Support"
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill classifying child sex trafficking as a serious felony, making it a strikable offense under the state's "three strikes" law. Repeat offenders or those with prior convictions of violent or serious felonies could face longer prison sentences, including life imprisonment. The new law, effective from next year, aims to prevent the early release of child sex traffickers. The bill, authored by Republican State Senator Shannon Grove, received bipartisan support and underwent changes to protect victims from prosecution.