A controversial bill that would decriminalize prostitution for minors squeezed out of the California Assembly on Thursday and is now headed back to the Senate for a final vote. It also would allow law enforcement to take sexually exploited children into temporary custody if leaving them unattended would pose an immediate threat to their health or safety. SB 1129, authored by Bill Monning (D-Carmel), would repeal mandatory minimum sentences for specified prostitution offenses. But law enforcement officials opposes the move, saying the state's child welfare system is woefully low on resources. “Let’s say collectively there is no such thing as a child prostitute because there is no such thing as a child prostitute.”Other lawmakers agreed.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 18, 2016 23:14 UTC