In a statement to lawmakers, the sheriff’s department said the law is “often used to keep prostitutes from hanging around public places, business and residential communities, which can breed crime and drug use.” Both say repealing it will hinder the prosecution of those who commit crimes related to prostitution and human trafficking and make it harder to identify and assist those being victimized. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the nation’s largest such agency, and the 75,000-member Peace Officers Research Association of California are among the opponents. It’s about protecting the most marginalized in our community.” “Pride isn’t just about rainbow flags and parades. “It is more important than ever to get rid of a law that targets our community,” said Wiener, who is gay. The bill is sponsored in part by groups supporting gay and transgender rights, and Wiener said he waited to send the measure to Newsom until Pride Month, which celebrates the LGTBQ community. Newsom’s spokespeople did not immediately comment on Wiener’s bill.īurt believes lawmakers waited to send it to Newsom until after the governor defeated the recall and safely made it through the June 7 primary election. Newsom, a Democrat running for reelection after easily beating back a recall last year, has said more needs to be done to address homelessness and shoplifting. The Senate finally sent the bill to Newsom on Monday.īut in the nine months since lawmakers acted, concerns about crime, homelessness and the perception that major California cities are becoming more unsafe have become more acute, providing fodder for political campaigns heading into the November election.Īmong the bill’s supporters is San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who voters just recalled from office in mid-term after critics mounted a campaign labeling him as soft on criminals. He wanted time, W iener said then, “to make the case about why this civil rights bill is good policy … and why this discriminatory loitering crime goes against California values.” More than two dozen of his fellow Democrats in the Assembly and Senate either voted no or declined to vote. The measure has passed both legislative chambers, but Wiener took the unusual step of stopping the bill from going to Newsom after the Assembly approved the measure in September with no votes to spare. It would allow those who were previously convicted or are currently serving loitering sentences to ask a court to dismiss and seal the record of the conviction. The bill would not decriminalize soliciting or engaging in sex work.