NM House Passes Human Trafficking Bill

A proposal to strengthen state human trafficking laws has passed its first hurdle.

House members passed Friday a bill aimed at increasing the penalty for human trafficking. The House version sponsored by Rep. Tim Lewis of Rio Rancho makes the crime a first degree felon if the victim is under the age of 16.

The bill now goes to the New Mexico Senate.

Lewis, a Republican, says he hoped that senators would move quickly on the proposal.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.