Missouri House Approves Sex Trafficking Prevention Measure
Websites and people that knowingly advertise sex with minors would face penalties under Missouri's proposed sex trafficking law that needs a final vote in the Senate before heading to the governor.
The Missouri House on Monday approved the measure unanimously. The bill is aimed at cracking down on human trafficking in the state and would criminalize advertising sexual acts with minors.
Republican Rep. Elijah Haahr, of Springfield, says the change would give prosecutors and law enforcement another tool to go after websites that advertise sex acts with minors.
He says there are websites that are profiting from exploited children.
The bill mirrors a federal effort supported by a Missouri U.S. House Rep. Ann Wagner.