A new law signed in California attempts to treat underage prostitutes and human trafficking victims not as criminals but as victims. 

From the AP (via San Francisco Chronicle):

In Oakland, juveniles made up most of the 27 human trafficking prostitution cases investigated there in 2006 and 2007. A San Francisco Bay Area-wide prostitution sting in 2007 caught four girls under 18, including one who had brought her 8-month-old child with her to work.

The bill signed on Sunday creates the pilot counseling and treatment program in Oakland and the rest of Alameda County.

A second bill lets victims of human trafficking keep their names out of the public record and requires law enforcement to diligently investigate trafficking cases regardless of citizenship status.