Bills Would Increase Penalties for Trafficking

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase penalties for "johns" who solicit victims of human trafficking.

The legislature's Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on Monday from proponents of the legislation, the latest effort to address human trafficking in the state.

The bill would make soliciting a felony and add "force" and "fraud" to the existing definition of coercion involved in human trafficking, and would expunge the prostitution arrest records of human trafficking victims.

A similar bill before the legislature has received the support of all female lawmakers.

Advocates say the bills are a continuation of an effort that began last year with a law that made it a crime for someone to place an advertisement for sex that includes a depiction of a minor.