The Current

February 1st, 2012
LINCOLN, NE – Today, State Senator Amanda McGill introduced two bills to strengthen state laws and programing pertaining to human trafficking. The Judiciary Committee studied the problem of human trafficking, including forced prostitution, during an interim study in December.

“Since last spring, I’ve been meeting with a variety of scholars, law enforcement officials and concerned citizens who want to put an end to this modern form of slavery,” said Sen. McGill. “We’ve put together a comprehensive package of laws that addresses multiple aspects of the problem from law enforcement training to harsher penalties for pimps.”

LB 1145 includes the following provisions:
* Requires posting the National Human Trafficking Hotline in key establishments.
* Requires mandatory training on human trafficking for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, officials involved with juvenile detention and prosecution, and other relevant government officials.
* Allows victims of sex trafficking to file a motion to vacate a conviction of prostitution.
* Authorizes law enforcement officials to seize property obtained due to a violation of the state human trafficking statute. This property would then be subject to forfeiture.
* Establishes a commission to study and investigate key aspects of human trafficking including the availability of victim services and the scope of human trafficking in the state.
* Provides tougher penalties for solicitors of prostitution.

LB 1146 provides funds to carry out the Nebraska Prostitution and Treatment Act. The act was passed in 2006, but funding for the program was vetoed two years in a row by the Governor. The proposed $20,000 would provide diversion and treatment services to those charged with prostitution.

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http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist26/2012/02/01/mcgill-tackles-human-tr...