Public Forces Democrats to Backtrack on Teen Trafficking Law Hurting Minors

Democratic Assemblywoman Maggie Krell betrayed by her own party as GOP pressure restores felony provision to AB 379.

California Democrats were forced into a dramatic reversal this week after buckling under sustained Republican pressure over AB 379—a bill designed to combat child sex trafficking. Republican lawmakers succeeded in reviving a key felony provision initially stripped from the bill by Democratic leadership.

The original version of AB 379, authored by Democrat Assemblywoman Maggie Krell, aimed to make it a felony to solicit sex from 16- and 17-year-old victims of human trafficking. Yet in a stunning display of intra-party betrayal, Democrats in Sacramento gutted Krell’s language, effectively weakening the bill and cutting her out of the legislative process.

Assemblyman Nick Schultz, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, claimed after the fact, “This is where I wanted to be from the beginning.” Yet just days earlier, Schultz had voted to eliminate both the felony language and Krell’s involvement. “I can’t speak for Assemblymember Krell or the leadership,” he said, sidestepping his direct role in the controversy.

Krell’s ousting and the removal of the felony clause sparked immediate outrage, particularly from Republicans and victims’ advocates. Even Governor Gavin Newsom distanced himself from the move, saying “the law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same, as a felony.”

Despite Krell’s firm support of the Republican-led amendment—“I do not consider this amendment ‘hostile’ and will be voting for it,” she wrote in a leaked letter to colleagues—her plea for unity was ignored. California Democrats instead launched misleading Facebook ads targeting Republican Assemblymen Josh Hoover and James Gallagher, accusing them of opposing stronger trafficking laws.

Hoover fired back: “It is a desperate and pathetic attempt to mislead and gaslight Californians. Let’s set the record straight on what actually happened.” He pointed to the Democrats’ own votes against felony penalties as evidence of their failure to protect vulnerable youth. “Make no mistake, these ads are nothing but a distraction from their own failed record on public safety.”

The smear campaign quickly backfired. The California Republican Party hit back with digital ads highlighting the Democrats’ hypocrisy, hammering them for “voting to protect predators.”

Faced with bipartisan condemnation and the governor’s disapproval, Democratic leaders finally caved. According to POLITICO, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Schultz cut a deal with Krell, restoring the felony provision to AB 379.

Republicans welcomed the development as a partial victory. “This is a huge win in the fight to combat child sex trafficking, but the fight is far from over,” said Assemblyman Carl DeMaio. Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez added, “This is just the beginning.”

An additional measure was also included: adult solicitors who target minors three years their junior may now face an added felony charge. AB 379 is set for a decisive vote in the Assembly on May 15.