| NEWS — | For Immediate Release
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| DATE: Dec. 2, 2014 | CONTACT: Rep. Elijah Haahr 134th District
417-693-2138
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Rep. Haahr Files Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – With the goal of combating human trafficking in Missouri, state Rep. Elijah Haahr today filed legislation to criminalize any form of advertising that leads to the exploitation of children.
Modeled after the congressional SAVE Act, HB 152 would criminalize any form of advertisement – from online posts to classified ads – if the advertiser knows it could lead to human trafficking. Individuals who engage in such advertising would be guilty of sexual trafficking of a child, which is a felony offense in Missouri with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
“Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar a year industry that has victimized countless innocent, vulnerable children. One of the ways we can help to shut down these heinous crimes is by limiting the ability of traffickers to advertise on the Internet or in other areas,” said Haahr, R-Springfield. “By passing this legislation we can give law enforcement another tool to combat traffickers and protect innocent children from harm.”
Haahr’s legislation was prefiled Thursday, Dec. 4 and will be considered by the Missouri House when the General Assembly convenes for the 2015 session in January.
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