Georgia House Passes New Bill

Associated Press – March 2, 2011 12:54 PM ET

ATLANTA (AP) – A bill that makes it easier to prosecute human traffickers and keeps them in prison longer if convicted has cleared the Georgia House.

Rep. Ed Lindsey, who sponsored the bill, said his goal is to get human traffickers off the street and to help protect their victims.

The measure would increase minimum sentencing from 1 year to 10 years and adds a fine of up to $100,000 for a conviction. If the victim is a minor, the trafficker would face no less than 25 years in prison.

Experts say the practice is the third largest and fastest growing criminal activity in the world after the drugs and arms trade and is a threat to national security.

The bill passed 168-1 on Wednesday. It now goes to the Senate.

Online:http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14172262

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