Proposition 35 increases prison sentences and fines for human trafficking convictions while also requiring convicted human traffickers to register as sex offenders.
Fiscal Impact: Costs of a few million dollars annually to state and local governments for addressing human trafficking offenses. Potential increased annual fine revenue of a similar amount, dedicated primarily for human trafficking victims.
A YES vote means longer prison sentences and larger fines for committing human trafficking crimes
A NO vote means existing criminal penalties for human trafficking would stay in effect.
Erotic Service Provider Legal, Educational and Research Project is leading the campaign for NO on 35 argues that proposition 35 allegedly aimed at human trafficking actually threatens many innocent people.
If Proposition 35 passes, anyone receiving financial support from normal, consensual prostitution among adults including a sex worker’s children, parents, spouse, domestic partner or roommate could be prosecuted as a human trafficker, and if convicted, forced to register as a sex offender for life.
While Californians against sexual exploitation argues that proposition 35 will protect children in California by increasing penalties against human traffickers, making convicted traffickers register as sex offenders, and requiring all registered sex offenders to provide information to the authorities about their Internet presence, in order to help prevent human trafficking online.
Proposition 35 helps victims put their lives back together by increasing fines against human traffickers and dedicating these funds for victims’ services.
