By, Maria Aguilar |Staff Writer|
Human traffickers, registered sex-offenders, victim services and law enforcement training could be facing increased prison terms up to 15-years-to-life if Proposition 35 passes.
Convicted human traffickers will face increased prison terms from the current five years to 15-years-to-life and fines up to $1.5 million, according to the official voter information guide. Human trafficking includes sex and labor traffickers.
The Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act (CASE ACT), known as Proposition 35, will make changes to the state law and expand the definition of human trafficking.
It will become required that convicted human traffickers register as sex offenders, and prohibits evidence showing the victim engaging in sexual conduct from being used against the victim in court.
According to the official voter information guide, current fines of $100,000 will increase to up to $1.5 million. Seventy percent of fines will be distributed to public agencies and non-profit organizations that provide shelter or other direct services.
Fines will be distributed to law enforcement and prosecution agencies in the jurisdiction of 30 percent. It will fund law enforcement training for human trafficking prevention, witness protection, and rescue operations.
However, those who oppose Proposition 35, such as Erotic Service Provider Legal, Educational and Research Project, are consensual adults who work in prostitution.
“My son, who served our country in the U.S. military and now attends college, could be labeled a human trafficker and have to register as a sex offender if I support him with money I earned providing erotic services,” said Maxine Doogan, as stated on esplerp.org.
If Proposition 35 is passed, additional requirements on registered sex offenders will be enforced. They will be required to report internet identifiers such as: e-mail addresses, user names, screen names or anything similar that will be used in chat rooms, social networking or similar internet communication to local police or sheriff departments. Any changes in these identifiers need to be reported within 24 hours.
Costs to counties and cities will include up to a few million dollars to train existing staff. Costs will diminish each subsequent year to train new officers, states the official voter guide.