Crimes: prostitution.

Assembly Members Schultz and Nguyen propose comprehensive changes to California's human trafficking and prostitution laws, establishing new penalties and support mechanisms while expanding enforcement authority. The legislation creates a $1,000 fine for purchasing commercial sex and directs these funds to a new Survivor Support Fund that will provide grants to community-based organizations serving trafficking victims.

The bill increases civil penalties for businesses that fail to post human trafficking notices, raising fines to $1,000 for first violations and $2,000 for subsequent infractions. Hotels face steeper penalties for sex trafficking violations, with fines ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 based on frequency of occurrence within a 24-month period. Courts may impose additional penalties up to $40,000 for repeated violations.

A new vertical prosecution program through the Office of Emergency Services will provide funding to 11 district attorney offices that dedicate staff specifically to human trafficking cases. Participating offices must employ specialized prosecution methods, maintain minimum staffing levels, and partner with victim service organizations. The program requires detailed reporting on prosecution outcomes by January 2028.

The legislation modifies penalties for soliciting minors for prostitution, applying enhanced punishments when the victim is more than three years younger than the defendant. Defendants granted probation must complete education on human trafficking and child exploitation. The Attorney General receives new authority to enforce civil penalties alongside local prosecutors, with all collected fines directed to victim support services through the Survivor Support Fund.