Buying a child for sex is a misdemeanor in California. Lawmakers debate harsher penalty (kcra.com)

"Under California law, purchasing or soliciting a child for sex is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail, or a minimum of two days in jail, and a $10,000 fine. Republican State Sen. Shannon Grove is trying to change that with SB 1414, which would classify the crime as a felony, carrying a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison and a $25,000 fine."

It's amazing how much I see that one word associated with stories like this.