Online Prostitution Bill Heard in House

On Monday, the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on HB 882, sponsored by Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold). HB 882 seeks to penalize internet sites, such as Backpage, that have been used to promote human trafficking. The bill states that any person who owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another would be guilty of a Class A felony. The MCC testified in support of this legislation.