The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard HB 1216 on missing and trafficked children sponsored by Sen. Head and Sen. Houchin. The bill requires the Indiana State Police to prepare a pamphlet for distribution to every law enforcement agency to include information on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the National Runaway Safeline. The bill also (1) requires DCS to be notified if a child under 18 years of age is detained and an alleged victim of human trafficking, and (2) permits a defense to a charge of prostitution if a child was the victim or alleged victim of human trafficking. Both the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and the Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans Task Force testified in favor of the bill. The bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/house/1216.