Prostitution.

Existing law provides that any person who by promises, threats, violence, or by any device or scheme, causes, induces, persuades, or encourages another person to become a prostitute is guilty of pandering, a felony. In this regard, People v. Wagner (2009) 170 Cal.App.4th 499, has held that this provision does not apply to a situation in which a defendant has induced or encouraged a woman currently engaged in prostitution to commence working for him or her. This bill would expand the application of this provision by providing that any person who by promises, threats, violence, or by any device or scheme, causes, induces, persuades, or encourages another person to prostitute himself or herself, whether or not he or she has been a prostitute before, is guilty of pandering. The bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting the bill to abrogate the holding in the case of People v. Wagner, cited above. By revising the definition of an existing crime to expand its application, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.