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House strengthens penalties for trafficking of children; supporters and opponents clash over enforcement strategy
Summary
Lawmakers approved a bill increasing penalties for trafficking persons under 18 after an emotionally charged debate about mandatory minimums, prosecution capacity and the best way to help victims.
The House on May 1 approved legislation increasing penalties for trafficking of persons under age 18, a bill supporters said would bring state law closer to federal statutes and opponents warned could push trafficking deeper underground without improving convictions.
Representative Sarah (first name not specified in the transcript) urged lawmakers to reject the measure, arguing mandatory minimum increases "really doesn't address the problem" because convictions for child…
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