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Committee backs bill to broaden trafficking definitions to prosecute out-of-state solicitations

Senate Committee on Judiciary C · March 24, 2026

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Summary

The Senate Judiciary C committee reported House/Senate Bill 87 favorably on March 24 after prosecutors said the measure would align definitions of "commercial sexual activity" in state trafficking statutes and help charge people who use money or gifts to exploit minors remotely.

Senator Mizell introduced House/Senate Bill 87 to the Senate Judiciary C committee on March 24, saying the bill arose after a multidisciplinary meeting and practical gaps in prosecution were identified.

Zach Popovich, a prosecutor with the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, told the committee the bill would align definitions of commercial sexual activity across statutes (Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:46.2 and 14:46.3) and allow prosecutors to charge individuals who use economic value—money, gifts, phones, video games—to entice minors even if the offender and child are not physically together. He described cases in which remote solicitation and payments created prosecutorial obstacles under the current statutory language.

Committee members expressed support; Senator Kleinpeter thanked the sponsor and noted practical prosecutorial benefits. With no objections, the committee reported SB87 favorably to the next stage.