AB 379 Passes Committee: California Moves Closer to Expanding Felony Penalties for Soliciting Teens

Update on AB 379 (2025): This post follows up on our original coverage of AB 379 and the debate over felony penalties for soliciting sex from minors.

California lawmakers took a significant step forward in the fight against teen sex trafficking this week as Assembly Bill 379 (AB 379) cleared the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee. The bill would allow prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony for soliciting sex from 16- and 17-year-olds, even if trafficking cannot be proven—a major shift in how California protects vulnerable youth.

What Changed?

For weeks, AB 379 faced heavy resistance—not from Republicans, but from progressive Democrats concerned about the potential for discriminatory enforcement, especially in communities of color and among teens in close-in-age relationships. That resistance sparked public outcry and bipartisan criticism.

Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) acknowledged those concerns during the hearing:

“We all know that in the past, law enforcement has discriminatorily applied certain provisions of California law against particular communities... that concern is real.”

Despite this, the pressure from both ends of the political spectrum—including direct support from Governor Gavin Newsom—ultimately pushed the bill through committee.

Governor Newsom Weighs In

Governor Newsom, along with Democratic and Republican lawmakers, emphasized that there should be no ambiguity when it comes to protecting minors from sexual exploitation.

State Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) stated:

“This is a no-brainer. It’s about protecting kids. I give credit to Gov. Newsom for weighing in on this.”

The Current Language of AB 379

The revised version of AB 379 allows felony charges in three key situations:

• If the victim is under 16
  

• If the 16- or 17-year-old was trafficked
  

• If the offender is more than three years older than the 16- or 17-year-old
  

An exception remains for suspects who are within three years of the age of the minor—these cases will be treated as misdemeanors to prevent criminalizing close-in-age, consensual relationships.

Assemblymember Schultz also clarified during testimony:

“It is already a felony in the state of California to contact or attempt to communicate with a minor to engage in sexual activity... this bill closes gaps in enforcement.”

What’s Next?

Now that AB 379 has passed through the Public Safety Committee, it must face a full vote in the Assembly, then move to the State Senate, and finally reach Governor Newsom’s desk for signature.

Why This Matters

At MALHY, we believe laws like AB 379 are essential for empowering, educating, and protecting young people. This bill is a major victory for youth safety advocates across California—and a reminder of the power of collective community action.

As always, we’ll continue to monitor the bill’s progress and keep you informed with updates.