California Senate Approves Stripping Mandatory Prostitution Sentences

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Senate is backing legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for people caught repeatedly engaging in prostitution.

The Senate backed SB1129 in a 23-14 vote on Monday, adding to a growing list of efforts by the Legislature's Democratic majority to chip away at the tough-on-crime sentencing measures approved in recent decades.

California law currently requires a mandatory sentence of at least 45 days in jail for a second prostitution offense and at least 90 days for subsequent offenses.

Democratic Sen. Bill Monning of Carmel says mandatory sentences are not effective deterrents. He says his bill would give judges the flexibility to impose an appropriate sentence.

The measure was opposed by district attorneys and police chiefs.