Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A Kansas House committee is preparing to take up legislation increasing the penalties for child sex trafficking and providing help for victims of human trafficking.

The Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee is scheduled to begin two days of hearings Thursday.

The measure was sought by Attorney General Derek Schmidt and passed the Senate unanimously last month.

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's office, the Department of Labor and the Department for Children and Families.

The bill also increases penalties for those promoting the sale of sexual relations.