Human trafficking prevention measure passed

Lawmakers passed a bill May 14 to strengthen human trafficking prevention efforts in Nebraska.

Introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, LB294 increases penalties for solicitation of prostitution, pandering and keeping a house of prostitution and permits search warrants and subpoenas to be issued for entities located outside of Nebraska.

The measure defines offenders’ property that would be subject to forfeiture and creates a human trafficking victim assistance fund. Additionally, the bill permits human trafficking as a defense to prosecution for prostitution and requires the Foster Care Review Office to collect information on child trafficking victims.

The bill passed with an emergency clause on a 49-0 vote.