(Mitchell) Public Safety: 4-3-0
(Mitchell) Floor: 42-29-9
co-authors: C. Garcia, Lackey, Wieckowski
Victims of sex trafficking are often treated as criminals by law enforcement. SB1322 helps to protect them by decriminalizing prostitution for minors. Under SB1322, law enforcement officials are permitted to take the children into temporary custody, but only if necessary for their safety. Each incident must be reported to a child welfare agency, and any person engaging in sex acts with minors will be arrested. But rather than punishing the children, SB1322 takes steps to ensure potential sex trafficking victims are shielded from unnecessary criminal histories.