The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard Rep. Truitt’s HB 1216 concerning missing children and trafficked children. The legislation requires the Indiana State Police to prepare an informational pamphlet for distribution to every law enforcement agency with toll free numbers for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Runaway Hotline and other services to provide to families of missing children. The bill also provides a defense to the crime of prostitution if the person is a child and a victim of sex trafficking. Requires law enforcement to contact DCS if a child under age 18 and an alleged victim of sex trafficking is detained. A prosecutor, a representative and a volunteer from the National Runaway Safeline testified in favor of the bill. The Indiana State Police gave information about the runaway problem and answered questions by the committee. The bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1216.