Human trafficking immunity amended, re-advanced

A bill that would provide legal immunity to victims of human trafficking was returned to select file April 1 for consideration of an amendment.

LB843, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, proposed legal immunity from prostitution charges for any person proven by law enforcement to be a victim of labor or sex trafficking.

An amendment brought by Omaha Sen. Burke Harr and adopted on select file instead would allow a person charged with prostitution to file a motion to dismiss the charge if he or she can provide written evidence that they were a victim of human trafficking.

Senators agreed April 1 to return the bill from final reading for consideration of an amendment offered by Harr that would remove the language of his original select file amendment.

Harr said that after further review, the language was superfluous.

Following adoption of the Harr amendment 40-1, lawmakers re-advanced the bill to final reading by voice vote.