Human Trafficking Bill Advances In Fla. Legislature
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – The state's Senate Criminal Justice Committee gave unanimous approval to a bill Tuesday that would increase the penalties for human trafficking and smuggling.
Under SB 1880 the penalty for trafficking would increase from a maximum of 15 years in prison to 30 years. The bill would create additional trafficking offenses, some with maximums of life in prison.
The maximum for human smuggling would go from one year in jail to five years in prison.
The bill (SB 1880) also would authorize the statewide prosecutor to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases.
Another provision would let the governor, attorney general and prosecutors to seek court orders authorizing wire taps in such cases.
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