(KTTS News) — A bill aimed at protecting child sex trafficking victims from prosecution has passed the House and headed to a Missouri Senate committee.
If it passes, children 17 and younger would no longer be charged with prostitution, they would be considered victims of exploitation.
State Representative Ed Lewis from Moberly sponsors the bill.
He says he’s trying to help those kids get connected with support services.
The bill passed the House almost unanimously.
Jessica Petrie is a lobbyist for Missouri Kids First, a coalition of fifteen child advocacy centers.
She testified on behalf of the bill.
She says the coalition is particularly excited about a plan to create a targeted task force to gather and analyze info on child trafficking statewide.
The Missouri News Network says the bill passed in the Missouri House with almost unanimous support.
Lewis is urging lawmakers to send it to the full Senate before the end of the legislative session.
