Child prostitution bill approved

A Nevada Senate panel voted unanimously Tuesday for an Assembly-approved plan imposing fines that could add up to $1 million, besides any criminal penalties, on sex traffickers who lure or force children into prostitution.

AB380 would allow for a $100,000 fine if offenders are convicted of trafficking prostitutes 14 to 17 years old, and a $500,000 fine if the child is less than 14. If a criminal conspiracy is involved, another $500,000 fine could be imposed on those involved, in addition to the other fines.

Assemblyman John Hambrick, the bill's primary sponsor, told Senate Judiciary Committee members that child prostitution is a "scourge" in Nevada, especially in the Las Vegas area.

"We've just got to address the problem, Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, said. "We've got to do something to send a message."

Hambrick said he combined his background in law enforcement and involvement in youth issues to draft the bill. He began his career during the 1970s with the U.S. Secret Service and is currently the chairman of the state Juvenile Justice Commission.

"In Southern Nevada, we have seen prostitutes as young as 11. In the federal system they are called victims, and we've got to do something to stop this problem," Hambrick said after the hearing.

The bill also would let authorities freeze and eventually seize assets of those involved in child prostitution. Hambrick said the big fines would be used to help the victimized children, and to help cover costs of prosecuting traffickers who have the money to hire high-powered lawyers.

Lawmakers were previously told that Las Vegas was identified by the FBI as one of 14 cities around the country with high rates of child prostitution, and that police officers there handled 150 cases of child prostitution last year.

Other bill supporters who previously gave testimony include Dr. Lois Lee, head of Los Angeles-based Children of the Night which helps children victimized by prostitution and Joe Murrin of Las Vegas.

Lee said Nevada lacks similar programs. Murrin told lawmakers that Lee's organization helped his daughter get away from prostitution that began when she was a minor.