Provisions to protect sexually exploited youth in Minnesota have been included in S.F. 1/H.F. 1, the 2011 Special Session compromise negotiated between Governor Dayton and Republic leadership. The bill includes many of the provisions included in H.F. 556 and S.F. 1385, and takes significant steps toward building a victim-centered model for protecting children exploited through prostitution.
The Public Safety and Judiciary Finance conference committee report, S.F. 958, includes provisions to protect sexually exploited youth. The conference committee report includes many of the provisions included in H.F. 556 and S.F. 1385, and takes significant steps toward building a victim-centered model for protecting children exploited through prostitution.
Senator Sandy Pappas introduced S.F. 1385 on May 5, 2011.
Representative Steve Smith introduced H.F. 556 on February 17, 2011. The bill would modify provisions for sexually exploited children found in need of protection or services; define sexually exploited youth; increase penalty assessments imposed in certain prostitution crimes and modify distribution of the assessment; provide a safe harbor for sex trafficked youth and sexually exploited youth; require the commissioner of public safety, in consultation with the commissioners of health and human services, to develop a statewide victim services model to address the needs of sexually exploited youth and youth at risk of sexual exploitation; and repeal the concurrent jurisdiction provision when a child is alleged to have engaged in prostitution.