California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Assemblymember Evan Low’s Legislation Protecting Children from Sexual Predators

SACRAMENTO — California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assemblymember Evan Low’s common-sense legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 1371, which prohibits convicted rapists from fulfilling court-ordered community service in areas commonly frequented by minors.

Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) commented on the signing of AB 1371

“First and foremost, I want to thank my constituent ‘Jane Doe’ for bravely sharing her story with me so that I could take this action to help protect kids. I am so thankful for Governor Newsom’s signature on my legislation AB 1371 because it is unconscionable that a convicted rapist would be allowed to complete court-ordered community service anywhere near California’s children. This is a common-sense law that helps keep children safe from known sexual predators by disallowing the completion of court-ordered community service in areas frequented by minors, and I express my deepest appreciation for my constituent and abuse survivor for helping protect future generations.”

This critical legislation protecting children is the result of a brave constituent and child sex abuse survivor who shared with Assemblymember Low the horrific details of abuse she suffered at the hands of a sexual predator, and the lack of justice and protection afforded to her and other young people after the conviction of the rapist. In her disturbing case, the convicted rapist was allowed to complete 50 hours of court-ordered community service at a public high school in Los Angeles.

AB 1371 received bipartisan, near unanimous support in both California’s State Assembly and Senate, and was supported by the California District Attorneys Association, Crime Victims United of California, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

AB 1371 will become state law on January 1, 2024.

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