After several amendments, the bill moved out of the House and into the Senate.

HB 1775, concerning sexually exploited children, made it through the House with several changes. Most notable for cities is the ability for law enforcement to coordinate with a service provider or the state to transport a sexually exploited child to a state resource center. Previously, the bill required law enforcement to transport the child.

Additional changes to HB 1775 include:

• Lowering the maximum age for removing criminal penalties for engaging in prostitution from 18 to 17;
• Requiring the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to provide services to support commercially sexually exploited children outside of the state resource centers; and
• Requiring DCYF to compile and provide an annual report to the Legislature on available services and the number of children accessing services.

AWC supports this bill.

Dates to remember

HB 1775 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, February 25.