LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The minimum age for prostitution charges would increase to 18 from 16 years old under legislation that passed the Senate.
The bill passed unanimously Wednesday along with three others intended to combat human trafficking and improve the state's handling of victims. A six-month review by the state's human trafficking commission produced dozens of recommended changes in November.
The definition of racketeering would expand to include girls under the age of 18 in another bill that passed. It's currently a felony to entice a girl under 16 away from her guardian for prostitution, sex or marriage.
Foster care agencies would consider whether a child could be a trafficking victim under another bill, and a fourth would establish related training standards for health care professionals.
The bills now go to the House.
Hans Ahlström is the host of several programs including the daily musical variety show Weekday, the mostly straight ahead jazz show Night Studio, the self explanatory Blues Today, and the eclectic Sound Spectrum. You can also hear Hans as the local host of NPR's All Things Considered news magazine. He also helps manage Public Radio 90's web content, interviews local and visiting writers and artists, works with NMU student interns, and writes the occasional news story.