SACRAMENTO- On June 24, 2015, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President and FOP Lodge #77 State Trustee Alan Barcelona met with Assemblymember Bill Quirk, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, and Legislative Advocate Shane LaVigne at the assemblymember’s office at the Capitol.

“We had a  productive conversation about Senate Bill 776,” said Barcelona.  “I asked to meet with Assemblymember Quirk regarding SB 776 and the need to do everything we can to stop human trafficking.”

SB 776 by Senator Marty Block ( D-San Diego) calls for a mandatory fine of $500-$2,000 (in addition to other penalties) for those who buy sex.   Seventy-five percent of the fines would fund shelter, counseling, other services and exit programs for victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Last week Barcelona joined representatives from California Against Slavery (CAS) for the group’s Lobby Day 2015.  CAS representatives, many of them victims of human trafficking, met with California lawmakers to push for SB776 and any other anti-human trafficking efforts.

“I am  supporting  to California Against Slavery and Senate Bill 776, because more does need to be done to stop this cruel and despicable crime,” said Barcelona.  “Powerless victims are taken, beaten, drugged, and/or coerced into commercial sexual exploitation.  Escaping from the grips of those who control them is difficult and dangerous.  Human trafficking is intolerable and it has to stop.   Senator Block’s bill is a small step to stopping this crime. I thank Assemblymember Quirk for meeting with me.”