ASSEMBLYMEMBER DIXON SENDS GOVERNOR NEWSOM LETTER REQUESTING SIGNATURE FOR SENATE BILL 14 (GROVE)

Dear Governor Newsom,

I am writing to respectfully request your signature on SB 14. This measure is sponsored by 3 Strands Global Foundation. It would designate human trafficking of a minor as a serious felony and make it subject to the respective enhanced penalties, including California’s Three Strikes Law.

Globally, human trafficking is a $150 billion industry annually. In the United States, California is one of the largest hot spots for human trafficking. This is an egregious crime and we must treat it as such. Victims of human trafficking suffer from long-term psychological and physical trauma. For these reasons, human trafficking of a minor should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. SB 14 creates additional punishments for this crime.

SB 14 ensures that California’s most vulnerable victims are able to seek penalties against their perpetrators that fit the level of the crime. This measure makes human trafficking of a minor equivalent to other offenses such as rape or kidnapping. SB 14 will hold human traffickers accountable and serves as a deterrent for future crimes. This measure has received vast bipartisan support that speaks to the importance for its implementation.

I appreciate your engagement and thoughtful consideration of SB 14. If you have any questions, please contact my Legislative Director, Caroline Strouse, at 916-319-2072.

I respectfully request your signature on this important measure.

Sincerely,