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Florida House Passes Bill For Stricter Sex Slavery Penalties

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Florida is taking stricter action against one of the most demeaning crimes an individual can commit against another: human trafficking.

The Florida House passed a bill Friday that implements harsher penalties on human trafficking and smuggling in the sex-for-pay trade.

A unanimous 111-0 vote increased the maximum penalty for trafficking from 15 years to 30 years in prison. The maximum for human smuggling would go from one year in jail to five years in prison. Additional trafficking offenses would be created with some having maximums of life in prison.

The bill also authorizes the statewide prosecutor to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. Another provision would allow wire taps in such cases.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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