New law aimed at increasing sex trafficking penalty
By News Staff
A new bill aims to increase penalties for those convicted of sex trafficking a minor.
Senator Elaine Morgan is introducing legislation this week to provide tougher penalties in the hopes of combating sex trafficking incidents similar to situations Rhode Island has seen recently.
“As we saw in Providence just last week, this is an issue that is not going away. Three young girls from Massachusetts were taken from their families and may have been forced into prostitution,” Morgan said. “These are unspeakable crimes committed against children, and we need to ensure the punishment is sufficient.”
The proposed bill amends current state law to give convicted sex traffickers 50 years in prison versus the current 40-year sentence.
It would also increase the penalty and fine for obstructing or interfering with sex trafficking law from 20 years in jail and $20,000 to 35 years and $40,000.
© WLNE-TV 2015
