Newsom signs Mayor Gloria-backed bill targeting human trafficking in San Diego
A new state law aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and protecting minors from sexual exploitation has been signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, thanks in part to efforts led by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
Video above: This Nexstar Media video explains how to look out for human trafficking.
SAN DIEGO (*FOX 5/KUSI) -- A new state law aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and protecting minors from sexual exploitation has been signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, thanks in part to efforts led by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Assembly Bill 379, co-sponsored by Gloria and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, reinstates criminal penalties for loitering with the intent to buy sex and imposes felony consequences on adults who solicit sex from minors aged 16 or 17. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
“AB 379 will make a real difference in our ability to disrupt child exploitation and illegal prostitution in San Diego by holding buyers and traffickers accountable,” said Mayor Gloria. “As a proud co-sponsor of this bill, I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for signing this legislation into law, and also to Assemblymembers Maggy Krell and Nick Schultz for their tireless work crafting and championing this bill."
The legislation responds to the fallout from Senate Bill 357, which was passed in 2022 and decriminalized loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Since then, law enforcement officials have raised concerns about increased visibility of sex trafficking on public streets and diminished legal tools to intervene.
“For the last three years, we have seen the consequences of Senate Bill 357 play out, with open prostitution and human trafficking on our streets, and little that our officers could do to address it,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. “This legislation makes sure that we can rescue and support victims of illegal sex trafficking, especially minors, as well as hold offenders accountable for their actions.”
Under the new law, adults who are at least three years older than a 16 or 17-year-old victim can face felony charges. In cases where the age gap is smaller, solicitation remains illegal and classified as a misdemeanor.
“This legislation is going to save lives and assist in our efforts to ensure our city can protect our most vulnerable,” stated Mayor Gloria.
