Senate Passes Online Trafficking Provisions

This week, the Missouri Senate passed legislation that would penalize internet sites used to promote human trafficking as part of a larger bill on domestic violence and sexual abuse. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed SB 60, sponsored bySen. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City), which would make it easier for victims of domestic violence to move out of an abusive home. During the bill's perfection, an amendment was added by Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) stating that anyone who knowingly manages, operates, or owns an interactive computer service that promotes or facilitates the prostitution of another will have committed the offense of promoting prostitution in the first degree. This is the state version of the federal FOSTA bill that targets websites such as Backpage that are used in human trafficking. SB 60 now moves to the House for consideration.