Anti-human trafficking bills introduced by Mich. senators; tour promoting legislation planned

1/23/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING, Mich. — New bills aimed at fighting human trafficking in Michigan have been introduced in the state Legislature.

Senate Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Judy Emmons announced the bills Thursday.

The bills would provide immunity from civil lawsuits to school administrators, nurses or other professionals who report reasonable suspicion of human trafficking.

They would require proof that state Human Services workers have visited the foster homes they’re assigned to and the children were physically present at the time. And they’d classify a foster child who’s run away as a missing person.

Sponsors plan a statewide tour promoting the bills.

A bill approved last month in the Michigan House would require that anyone under 18 caught working as a prostitute be presumed to have been coerced into it.