The House today passed a provision similar to Klobuchar’s bill that would give prosecutors the tools they need to tackle domestic minor sex trafficking and help make sure victims of these horrific crimes receive the support they need   

Legislation is modeled after Minnesota’s “safe harbor” laws which help ensure minors who are sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants, but rather are treated as victims 

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced that a provision similar to her bipartisan legislation to crack down on sex trafficking has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (SETT), which was authored by Senator Klobuchar in the Senate and then introduced by Congressman Erik Paulsen in the House, would give prosecutors the tools they need to tackle domestic minor sex trafficking and help make sure victims of these horrific crimes receive the support they need. The legislation is modeled after Minnesota’s “safe harbor” laws which help ensure minors who are sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants, but rather are treated as victims.

“Today’s action in the House is an important step forward for this legislation and our effort to fight sex trafficking,” Klobuchar said. “I’m looking forward to working with the House to produce a strong final bill that will give victims the support they need and help law enforcement fight these heinous crimes.”

The Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (SETT) requires all states have a safe harbor provision to help ensure minors who are sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants, but are instead treated as victims. When a state passes a safe harbor law, it means that kids sold for sex should be steered towards child protection services, rather than being arrested, charged, or convicted under a state’s criminal laws.

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