June 1, 2013
Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto issued the following statement after the passage of Assembly Bill 67, legislation that establishes the crime of sex trafficking of children and adults, allows victims to receive assistance and gives them the right to sue their traffickers.
“I applaud our legislators for supporting this bill and
those community members who voiced their support for the bill. Nevada legislators took an important step in
protecting the victims of sex trafficking in our state. The efforts of public and private sector
leaders were a powerful force in raising awareness of this epidemic. Together, we met our goal of protecting
children and young adults and holding sex trafficking perpetrators
accountable.”
General Masto will continue her efforts to raise awareness
of the issue in Nevada, to work with the National Association of Attorney
General’s Human Trafficking Committee and the American Bar Association’s Human
Trafficking Task Force.
The bill was approved by unanimous votes of both houses
of the legislature. The bill will now be
sent to Governor Brian Sandoval’s for final approval. A public signing with Gov. Sandoval will take
place.
Background on AB 67:
• Changes the current pandering statute to the sex trafficking statute.
• The federal definition of sex trafficking will be used to increase penalties by one sentencing level.
• Creates law enforcement tools for racketeering, conspiracy, and wiretapping.
• Those convicted would have to register as a sex offender, and their assets will be seized, liquidated and provided as relief to the victims.
• Restitution will be mandatory with the ability to bring a civil cause of action.
• The prosecution will be allowed to preserve the victim's testimony for trial.
###