Opponents of Grove’s bill said it was too broad and could sweep in teenagers having sex with other teenagers who exchange gifts or take actions that could be construed as soliciting. They also said the law could be used to target the LGBTQ community.

“By passing Sen. Grove’s SB 1414 as amended, committee members demonstrated a commitment to holding perpetrators of child sexual abuse accountable without hurting additional kids,” said Anne Irwin, director of Smart Justice California, a criminal justice reform advocacy group in a statement after the hearing.

This is Grove’s second bill aiming to prevent child sex by hiking penalties, which criminal justice reform advocates say is not effective and could have unintended consequences.

Last year, she authored Senate Bill 14, which made those convicted of child sex trafficking — which was already a felony — eligible for more prison time under California’s Three Strikes law.

SB 14 created upheaval in the Capitol just ahead of the Legislature’s month-long summer recess. It initially failed in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Debate over the bill turned ugly, with supporters claiming those who opposed it were pedophiles, especially online. Some committee members even reported receiving threats and abusive messages.

Eventually, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, intervened, and the committee held a last-minute hearing to advance the bill.

Lawmakers approved SB 14, and Newsom signed it in September.

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