Reps. LaMalfa & Vargas Announce Bill to Close Sex Trafficking Loophole

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) has announced the introduction of "The Child Protection Act of 2013" (HR1690, "Hazel's Law"), which he is cosponsoring with Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA). This bipartisan legislation closes a loophole in statutes barring sex trafficking of a minor by removing a "knowledge of age" requirement. While other criminal statutes involving exploitation of children do not have this requirement, sex traffickers have received shorter sentences after arguing that they did not know victims were underage."It is absurd that child sex traffickers are getting off with weaker sentencing, simply by claiming that they were not aware that the victim was under age. This common sense legislation closes loopholes to guarantee that child sex traffickers receive the strongest punishment possible, regardless of whether or not they knew their victim's age," said Rep. LaMalfa. "Protecting society's most vulnerable is one of government's chief responsibilities and I'm pleased to work with Rep. Vargas to give law enforcement the tools to do so."Rep. Juan Vargas of San Diego added the following comments:"I am proud to have introduced "Hazel's Law", a bipartisan bill that unites Congress in our efforts to punish those who force our children into sexual slavery," said Rep. Vargas. "Hazel, a San Diego child sex trafficking survivor, showed immense courage by working with authorities to gather evidence against her trafficker. In honor of Hazel, and all victims of child sex trafficking, I will work tirelessly with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that traffickers receive the sentences they deserve."Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.