OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A bill to allow human
trafficking victims to clear some criminal records is on its way to the
Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
Republican Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma City
introduced the bill to allow sex trafficking victims to petition to have
prostitution convictions vacated from their records. The bill passed
the House of Representatives without opposition Monday.
Kern and victim advocacy groups say many of the men
and women in prostitution started when they were underage or are there
under force or fraud, which are conditions for sex trafficking. They say
these people should be treated as victims instead of criminals.
The House unanimously passed another
trafficking-related bill from Kern last year. The bill's passage comes
as state governments around the country focus on the issue.
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