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- CALIFORNIA WATCH-
- KEY LAWS, MEASURES & TASK FORCES AFFECTING SEX TRAFFICKING IN CALIFORNIA - 1. Measure AB22: California Trafficking Victims Protection Act: Authored by Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) and signed into law by the Governor in September, 2005, this measure makes human trafficking a felony in California and aims to assist victims in rebuilding their lives. The measure is the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation, addressing intra-state trafficking and combining both criminal and civil remedies to combat human trafficking. 2. Senate Bill 180 (SB 180): Human Trafficking: Sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), this bill created the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (California ACTS) Task Force, which will raise public awareness of the issue and bring together relevant state agencies, law enforcement, and service providers to improve data collection, prosecution of traffickers, and victim protection and services. SB 180 also asks the Commission on Peace Officer Standards Training to implement training on human trafficking for peace officers in California. Such training is essential for successful detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking cases. 3. The California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force: Formed by State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force was established as a result of AB 22, by Assembly Member Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) and SB 180, by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles). Chaired by the Attorney General, Bill Lockyer, the CA ACTS Task Force will examine the issue and present a report for legislative review. The report, due by July 2007, will identify the scope of human trafficking in California, collect and summarize data, describe local and statewide efforts to address the issue, determine gaps in services, and make recommendations on how to improve California’s law enforcement and prosecution efforts, as well as its response to victims. 4. Senate Bill 1569 (SB 1569): Human Services for Immigrant Survivors of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes: Sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), this bill would extend eligibility for certain state and local benefits, including, but not limited to, refugee cash assistance, Medi-Cal, and employment social services, to qualified noncitizen victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, as defined, who can demonstrate their eligibility for these programs, as specified. It would also provide that these victims shall be eligible for state or local public benefits and services, to the same extent that persons are eligible pursuant to the federal Refugee Act of 1980. By increasing counties' responsibility for administering and determining eligibility for various services, programs, and benefits, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. *This bill is currently being discussed in the State Senate, and will be heard on April 25, 2006. 5. Assembly Bill 634 (AB634): Bill to Curtail "Mail Order Bride" Abuse: This bill, introduced by Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) would require that criminal background checks and other information be provided to prospective brides so that they can have a better understanding of the person they are considering marrying. Under Assemblywoman Lieber’s bill, international marriage brokers—as the mail-order bride industry is called—must obtain a license to operate in the state of California. Employees of these companies would be required to undergo criminal background checks, and those with certain violent criminal histories would be prohibited from practicing. The bill would further require that International Marriage Brokers provide those who come to the U.S. as potential spouses with information about their rights in the U.S. as well as resources for escaping domestic violence. *This bill has unanimously passed in the State Assembly and is currently on the State Senate floor. - KEY LAWS AND MEASURES AFFECTING PROSTITUTION IN CALIFORNIA - 1. Measure Q: Prostitution Enforcement, City of Berkeley: This measure was voted down by 63.5% of Berkeley voters in the November 2004 election. The measure read: Shall the ordinance be adopted to: 1) make enforcement of prostitution laws the lowest priority; 2) oppose state laws making prostitution a crime; and 3) require semi-annual reporting of prostitution-related Berkeley Police Department law enforcement activities? Financial Implications: Possible increases in law enforcement costs as a result of potential increase in prostitution-related crime and increased reporting requirements. - KEY CALIFORNIA POLITICAL & LEGAL FIGURES combating SEX TRAFFICKING - 1. State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles): Sponsored Senate Bill 180 which created the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (California ACTS) Task Force; this bill was signed into law by the Governor in 2005. Currently she has introduced SB 1569 which, if passed, will provide State government assistance to immigrant victims of trafficking and other crimes. 2. State Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View): Authored measure AB22: California Trafficking Victims Protection Act that made trafficking a felony in California; AB22 was signed into law in 2005. 3. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer: During the week of March 24 2006, Lockyer convened the first meeting of a statewide task force to address the emerging issue of human trafficking, a crime involving captives many of them non English speaking women and children who are forced to work against their will in sweatshops, prostitution rings, farm labor, private homes and other enterprises under deplorable conditions. "Human trafficking and forced labor is not only unconscionable, it is illegal," said Lockyer. "It is my hope that this task force can identify ways to strengthen California's ability to combat this inhumane and hidden crime." 4. State Senator Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose): Co-authored SB 180 with fellow Senators Kuehl and Bowen. Also authored SB 1128: Sex Offender Punishment, Control, and Containment Act of 2006 that is currently on the Senate floor. 5. State Senator Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach): Co-authored SB 180 with fellow Senators Kuehl and Alquist. Also authored SB 1062: Victims of crime: domestic violence and sexual assault that is currently on the Senate floor. What is Governor Schwarzenegger doing to combat sex trafficking in California? • Governor's Office Press Release, Sept. 21, 2005: Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking: This refers to AB22 and SB 180 highlighted above; as well as SB 972, a bill that ensures restitution for victims of crime, including trafficking, in California. *Have something to say to Gov. Schwarzenegger about sex trafficking in California? Contact his office: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger To send an email please visit:
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