Mass. Senate approves anti-human trafficking bill

Pimps and others found guilty of trafficking children for sex or forced labor would face life in prison under a bill passed by the Massachusetts Senate.

The anti-human trafficking bill passed Thursday increases the penalties for human trafficking and for soliciting a prostitute. Under the proposed law, anyone convicted of trafficking would need to register as a sex offender.

The bill would also consider children and others forced into prostitution victims instead of offenders. It would establish a taskforce to investigate and study ways to prevent trafficking and treat victims.