SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, authored by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), legislation to protect children from sexual exploitation by clarifying that it is a crime to knowingly watch a livestream of a sexually exploited minor. SB 1276 closes a loophole that allowed predators to evade accountability for knowingly viewing the sexual exploitation of children through livestreaming platforms. The new law makes clear that knowingly accessing a livestream depicting a minor engaged in sexual conduct is a crime under California law.

“Protecting our children in this digital age is more important than ever. As technology continues to advance, our laws must keep pace to ensure predators cannot use new tools and platforms to exploit our children,” said Senator Susan Rubio. “Fighting human trafficking and exploitation has long been at the heart of my work, and with the signing of SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, we are strengthening those protections and making clear that there is no corner of the internet where predators can hide. I thank Governor Newsom for signing SB 1276 and standing with us in putting the safety of California’s children first.”

Senator Rubio partnered with Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto on SB 1276, continuing their work to strengthen California’s laws against sexual exploitation. Last year, the two partnered on SB 680 to close gaps in California’s sex offender registration laws. 

“I was proud to sponsor SB 1276 because it not only strengthens protections for our most vulnerable victims, it closes loopholes to ensure that California law keeps pace with the evolving technological tactics used by predators,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “Thank you to Senator Susan Rubio for introducing and championing this legislation, and to Governor Newsom for signing it into law. With this law, California is strengthening its ability to protect children and hold predators accountable, no matter how technology evolves.”

As former public-school teacher, Senator Rubio has made protecting children and survivors of abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation a central focus of her legislative work. SB 1276 builds on that record by ensuring California’s laws continue to protect children as the methods used to exploit them move increasingly online.

Senator Rubio is available for interviews in English or Spanish. To schedule an interview, please contact Giovanni Ruiz at Giovanni.RuizReyes@sen.ca.gov

For more information, visit the website of Senator Susan Rubio at https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/