A new bill passed the state senate to help investigators and prosecutors fight human trafficking has passed the State Senate and is on its way to the House.
Senate Bill 45 will increase penalties for some crimes related to human trafficking including promoting prostitution, promoting prostitution of a minor, and exploiting or patronizing prostitutes. It will also consolidate crimes related to human trafficking within the Crimes Code, which will give the Pennsylvania Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction so these crimes can be prosecuted more effectively.
It will also direct fines paid by those convicted of patronizing prostitutes to be split between the state’s Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children and the Prevention of Human Trafficking Account.
The bill passed 49-1 with Senator Pittman voting in favor of it.
Comments