(Indianapolis, Ind.) - In his State of the State speech earlier this month, Governor Mitch Daniels called on the General Assembly to send him bills cracking down on human trafficking before the Super Bowl.
It's now on his desk.
The governor will sign the bill into law Monday morning after the House passed the bill 93-0 on Friday. It's the frst bill out of the 2012 General Assembly to reach his desk.
When it becomes law, a conviction of human trafficking involving a minor will be raised to a Class A felony punishable by 20 to 50 years in prison.
Attorney General Greg Zoeller had made it his top priority as well, saying it will make it easier to prosecute people who force kids into the sex trade.
"Though it is an honor for Indiana to host the Super Bowl, many sincere voices have brought to light the fact that human trafficking is a shameful practice we can't ignore. With the Governor's signature, law enforcement and prosecutors will have a new legal tool to combat this problem," Zoeller said.
Human trafficking has been a growing problem around the Super Bowl each year in the host city.
Seniors, Caregivers Invited to Attend Ripley County Senior Wellness Expo
Gov. Beshear Posthumously Pardons 43 Individuals Who Helped Enslaved People Escape to Freedom
BPS Selects Maschino as Assistant Principal
Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Conducts Targeted Enforcement Patrol
Human Remains Found in Franklin County
From Milan to the Grand Ole Opry: Jamie ‘Grascal’ Johnson’s Story of Music, Recovery & Second Chances
