Source: SFGate
“Gov. Gavin Newsom is getting involved and speaking out after Democratic California lawmakers in the Assembly blocked a proposal that would make it an automatic felony to purchase a 16 or 17-year-old for sex. The issue has been part of a two-year-long debate on the growing child sex trafficking industry in California as lawmakers try to target the consumers of it with harsher consequences. The Democratic governor has consistently supported the efforts. In a statement provided exclusively to KCRA 3 on Tuesday, the governor’s office said, ‘The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim’s age. Full stop.'” [editor’s note: It’s unclear whether this bill refers to actual trafficking/slavery, or to purchasing sexual services from persons of that age under allegedly voluntary conditions – TLK] (04/30/25)
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/gov-newsom-felony-purchase-16-17-year-olds-sex-20302772.php