A measure that would enhance human trafficking prevention efforts was amended and advanced April 22.<\/p>\n
Introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, LB294 would:
\n\u2022 increase penalties for solicitation of prostitution, pandering and keeping a house of prostitution;
\n\u2022 permit search warrants and subpoenas to be issued for entities located outside of Nebraska;
\n\u2022 define offenders\u2019 property that would be subject to forfeiture; and
\n\u2022 require that all forfeited assets be deposited in a victim assistance fund.<\/p>\n
Scheer said the bill is designed to diminish the profitability and increase the risk of prosecution for those who treat prostitution as a business in Nebraska. By increasing penalties and giving victims opportunities for restitution, Scheer said, the bill would send a message that human trafficking enterprises are not welcome in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman trafficking is a market-driven criminal enterprise that treats our most vulnerable [citizens] as human commodities,\u201d Scheer said. \u201cIt feeds upon those who are the least able to protect themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Judiciary Committee amendment, adopted 36-0, removed several original provisions of the bill including those:
\n\u2022 designating a minimum restitution of $150,000;
\n\u2022 allowing juvenile courts to maintain jurisdiction over juvenile victims; and
\n\u2022 permitting law enforcement officers to take temporary custody of a juvenile prostitution suspect without a warrant.<\/p>\n
The amendment also would require the Foster Care Review Office to collect information on child trafficking victims.<\/p>\n
Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch spoke in support of the bill, calling human trafficking a \u201cmodern slavery,\u201d that fosters gang activity, forced abortion and sexually transmitted disease. The bill would serve as a significant step in the state\u2019s efforts to make its citizens aware that human trafficking exists in Nebraska, she said.<\/p>\n
An amendment to the committee amendment, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, was adopted 35-0. It would permit human trafficking as a defense to prosecution for prostitution and would require that proceeds from forfeited and liquidated property be remitted to the state treasurer rather than the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund. <\/p>\n
Lawmakers advanced the bill from general file on a 34-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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