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San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Police Chief Scott Wahl, and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan highlighted the implementation of Assembly Bill 379, a new state law intended to strengthen California’s response to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The law is scheduled to take effect on Thursday.
AB 379, sponsored by Gloria and Stephan, is designed to shift legal accountability toward individuals who purchase commercial sex while treating those who are exploited as victims rather than offenders. City and county officials said the measure provides law enforcement with clearer authority to intervene in prostitution-related activity and addresses quality-of-life concerns in neighborhoods affected by trafficking.
Gloria said the law is aimed at improving public safety while reinforcing a victim-centered approach. He said the city plans to begin implementing the measure immediately after it takes effect.
“Assembly Bill 379 gives our city stronger, smarter tools to address prostitution and human trafficking by holding buyers accountable and treating exploited individuals as victims,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This law reflects our commitment to public safety, neighborhood quality of life, and human dignity. It takes effect on Thursday, and we will waste no time in implementing it here in San Diego.”
District Attorney Stephan said the legislation represents a significant change in how the criminal justice system addresses sex trafficking, particularly cases involving minors.
“Buying children who under the law cannot consent to sex can only be described as slavery,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “I fought for 10 years to make sure that those who buy children for sex are held fully accountable under the law and finally that time is here with AB 379.”
Officials said AB 379 was introduced in part as a response to Senate Bill 357, signed into law in 2022, which repealed California’s statute criminalizing loitering with intent to commit prostitution. Law enforcement leaders have said that changes limited officers’ ability to intervene in suspected trafficking activity, particularly in public spaces.
Police Chief Wahl said the new law restores tools for officers to intervene when they believe individuals are attempting to purchase commercial sex, while prioritizing protections for victims.
“Past legislation significantly limited our ability to address prostitution and human trafficking. Assembly Bill 379 changes that,” Police Chief Wahl said. “This law gives our officers the tools they need to intervene, protect victims, particularly minors, and hold offenders accountable. We are grateful to our elected leaders for recognizing the urgency of this issue and supporting legislation that strengthens enforcement and prioritizes victim services.”
Under AB 379, it is a crime for a person to loiter in a public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex. The law also establishes a Survivor Support Fund, which will provide grants to community-based organizations that offer direct services and outreach to victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. In addition, the measure increases civil penalties for certain human trafficking-related violations committed by businesses.
City officials said implementation of the law will involve coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, and service providers to ensure enforcement efforts are paired with victim support and recovery services. They said the legislation reflects an effort to balance public safety, accountability, and protections for vulnerable individuals impacted by trafficking.
