TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Senate has approved legislation increasing the penalties child sex trafficking and providing help for victims of human trafficking.
Attorney General Derek Schmidt had sought the legislation. Thursday’s 38-0 vote in the Senate sends the bill to the House.
The bill creates the crime of felony commercial sexual exploitation of a child, punishable by a minimum sentence of 25 years if the victim is less than 14 years old.
It also establishes programs to help victims of human trafficking through the attorney general, Department of Children and Families and the Department of Labor.
The bill also increases penalties for those promoting the sale of sexual relations.