On October 11, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law AB17, a bill which increases the penalty for human traffickers. According to the Legislative Counsel's Digest, the new changes include:
1) Adding "abduction or procurement by fraudulent inducement for prostitution," i.e. sex trafficking, to the definition of "criminal profiteering activity." Existing California law provides for the forfeiture of property and proceeds acquired through a pattern of criminal profiteering activity, so the new law will also now provide for the possibility of forfeiture of property and proceeds acquired through sex trafficking.
2) In cases involving "human trafficking of minors for purposes of prostitution or lewd conduct," or "abduction or procurement by fraudulent inducement for prostitution," money and proceeds from property forfeited will be placed in a fund to be available for appropriation to fund child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse victim counseling centers and prevention programs; 50% of such funds are to be granted to "community-based organizations that serve minor victims of human trafficking."
3) An increase in the maximum amount of additional authorized fine from $5000 to $20,000 for any person convicted of procurement of a child under 16, or abduction for the purpose of prostitution of a person under 18. 50% of such fines collected will also go to community-based organizations that serve minor victims of human trafficking.
This is great news!!
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