Committee hears bill to raise penalties for prostituting minors; HF128 laid over

Representative Rehrig presented House File 128 to the House Public Safety Committee on Feb. 12, saying the bill would increase penalties for prostituting a minor so they match penalties for comparable criminal sexual conduct (CSC) offenses. "House file 128 will increase the penalties to be the same as criminal ****** conduct for prostituting a minor," Rehrig said, and described specific changes: when the victim is under 14 the penalty would increase from 20 years to 30 years; ages 14'16 would increase from 10 to 15 years; ages 16'18 would increase from 5 to 10 years.

Caroline Palmer of the Minnesota Department of Health provided technical assistance and described the harms experienced by exploited children and youth, including long-term mental and physical health consequences. She noted that exploited youth appear across settings such as massage businesses, bars, the internet and via survival sex. Palmer also said the administration staff provided technical assistance and that HF128 was not in the governor's budget.

Members asked clarifying questions about existing tools in current law; Representative Mohler reminded the committee that in some circumstances prosecutors can pursue criminal sexual conduct charges under other statutes. Representative Pinto said he would be "interested in kind of the structure and language" and whether penalties as written are where members want them; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus.