Crimes: prostitution.

Assembly Member Krell's prostitution reform legislation expands penalties for soliciting minors while establishing new support mechanisms for trafficking survivors. The bill extends enhanced criminal penalties to any solicitation of individuals under 18, regardless of trafficking status, and requires first- and second-time offenders engaged in prostitution to be offered diversion programs.

The legislation creates a new misdemeanor offense for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex, defined through specific behaviors like circling areas in vehicles or making unauthorized stops in known prostitution locations. Violations carry a $1,000 fine, which feeds into a newly established Survivor Support Fund. This fund, administered by the California Victim Compensation Board, provides grants to community organizations offering direct services to trafficking victims, with priority given to survivor-led groups working in high-trafficking areas.

Under the bill's provisions, law enforcement maintains authority to enforce commercial sex prohibitions while being directed to partner with community organizations to connect individuals in the sex trade with available services. The measure explicitly states it does not aim to criminalize trafficking victims and requires ongoing training for officers investigating these cases. Local agencies and school districts will not receive state reimbursement for costs related to implementing the new crime classifications and modified penalties.