CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

99

Introduced by Assembly Members Sharp-Collins and Schultz

February 20, 2026

An act to amend Section 653.25 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex, as specified. Under existing law, intent is evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution, as specified.

This bill would instead provide that a person is guilty of the above-described crime only if they take a direct but ineffectual act that goes beyond planning or preparation towards commission of the crime that indicates a definite and unambiguous intent to purchase commercial sex. The bill would not require the act to be a completed communication.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 653.25 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

653.25.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex. This intent is evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution such as circling an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckoning to, contacting, or attempting to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists, making unauthorized stops along known prostitution tracks, or engaging in other conduct indicative of soliciting to procure another to engage in commercial sex. A person is guilty of this offense only if the person takes a direct but ineffectual act done towards its commission that indicates a definite and unambiguous intent to purchase commercial sex. The act must go beyond planning or preparation. It does not require a completed communication.

(b) A violation of this section shall, in addition to any other punishment, be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Fines collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Survivor Support Fund.