Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 16 to a bill that would provide legal immunity to victims of human trafficking.<\/p>\n
LB843, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, would provide legal immunity from prostitution charges for any person proven by law enforcement to be a victim of labor or sex trafficking. Pansing Brooks said human trafficking is second only to drug trafficking as a highly profitable commodity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that a huge portion of victims are forced or coerced into prostitution,\u201d she said. \u201cThey know it is illegal so they avoid seeking help, even though they are victims themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Nicole Fox supported the bill. She said it is difficult for many Nebraskans to accept that human trafficking happens in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, it flourishes here,\u201d she said, adding that events like the College World Series in Omaha and University of Nebraska-Lincoln football games are frequent targets for traffickers. \u201cIt\u2019s time to increase awareness, prosecute the real offenders and end the suffering of the victims.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus raised concerns about allowing law enforcement officers to determine whether or not a person is a victim of human trafficking, thereby granting that person immunity under LB843.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know any other section [of law] that allows a police officer to determine if a person is immune from criminal charges,\u201d he said. \u201cI can understand if a prosecutor decides not to prosecute, but police officers do not make a determination of immunity for any other prosecution.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Judiciary Committee amendment, adopted 27-0, incorporated provisions of LB1097, originally introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld. These provisions would create the Sexual Assault Payment Program to pay up to $500 for out-of-pocket costs associated with sexual assault medical examinations.<\/p>\n
Morfeld said the change would encourage medical providers to establish or expand the services they provide.<\/p>\n
\u201c[LB1097] was designed to provide greater access across Nebraska to trained medical personnel and deliver a higher standard of care [for sexual assault victims].\u201d<\/p>\n
Associated costs covered would include patient examination and interview, collection and evaluation of physical evidence, facility fees and laboratory processing fees.<\/p>\n
A program administrator would distribute forensic medical examination kits to health care providers at no cost to the providers and oversee examination training throughout the state.<\/p>\n
Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 32-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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