Calif. lawmakers block bid to make paying for sex with 16- and 17-year-olds a felony

California lawmakers gutted a bill Tuesday that would have made paying for sex with 16- and 17-year-olds a felony charge.

Under current state law, creeps who buy sex from minors under 16 face extra fines, jail time, and either a misdemeanor or felony charge.

A new bill meant to protect sex trafficking victims, AB 379, would have upped that age to 18, but Democratic committee members demanded the clause be cut before they let the bill move forward in the California State Assembly.