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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
DATE: APRIL 22, 2025
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 63
“LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT PROSTITUTION”
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 21
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, support Assembly Bill 63 “Loitering with intent to commit prostitution.”
DISCUSSION:
At the April 8, 2025, City Council meeting, Council Member Ryan Balius requested a resolution to formally support Assembly Bill 63 (AB 63).
AB 63 would mitigate the impacts of Senate Bill 357 “Safer Streets for All Act” (SB 357) by reinstating language to the California Penal Code prohibiting loitering in a public place with the intent to commit prostitution and making that crime a misdemeanor. The bill would also maintain protection by prohibiting law enforcement from making an arrest solely based on the person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
SB 357, which took effect on January 1, 2023, repealed California Penal Code Section 653.22—a statute that criminalized loitering with the intent to engage in sex work. While the stated intent of SB 357 is to reduce discrimination and harassment in public spaces, its implementation has had significant consequences for cities like Anaheim. These consequences include measurable impacts on residents’ quality of life, public health, and local businesses—especially in areas where prostitution and human trafficking are ongoing concerns.
In West Anaheim, particularly along the 1.5-mile stretch of Beach Boulevard from Lincoln Avenue to Ball Road, the effects of SB 357 have been significant. The area has long faced challenges related to prostitution, human trafficking, drug activity, and urban blight. As part of the effort to address many of these challenging issues, the City launched Rebuild Beach in December 2021. Since the implementation of SB 357, there has been a noticeable increase in visible street-level prostitution. The repeal has significantly hampered law enforcement’s ability to proactively address prostitution- related activity. Critically, SB 357 has removed officers’ authority to engage with Resolution to Support Assembly Bill 63 (AB 63)
April 22, 2025
individuals suspected of prostitution in order to initiate potential human trafficking investigations.
At the November 13, 2024 meeting, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-115 requesting the State of California to take action to mitigate the impacts of SB 357. AB 63, authored by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez, seeks to restore prohibitions on loitering with the intent to commit prostitution and reinstate officers’ authority to approach individuals suspected of solicitation. Furthermore, AB 63 would allow law enforcement to more effectively identify and assist victims of human trafficking while providing a mechanism for police officers to approach potential human trafficking victims to provide outreach and offer resources and services.
If approved, the City will transmit the resolution and a letter of support to its state legislators and the author for appropriate distribution.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Garcia
Assistant City Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Assembly Bill 63