OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Senate has unanimously approved two bills aimed at fighting child prostitution. The bills would expand the criminal definition of human trafficking and allow police to record telephone calls involving underage victims when the victims give consent.
Senators Jerome Delvin of Richland and Jeanne Kohl-Welles of Seattle are collaborating on the bills to combat the problem in Washington.
Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg told the Tri-City Herald that trafficking in child prostitutes isn’t an everyday occurrence in the Tri-Cities, but police see it often enough to be concerned.
Current law prohibits police from employing minors in sex trafficking investigations. It also prohibits police from recording conversations without the consent of both parties on the call.
