LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan House has voted to increase penalties for soliciting sex from a minor, making it a felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
State law now classifies it as a misdemeanor with a top sentence of 93 days in jail.
The House approved two bills Wednesday, sending them to the Michigan Senate for consideration.
Republican Rep. Dale Zorn of Ida sponsored one measure and says children who are forced into the sex trade need to be protected.
Republican Rep. Eileen Kowall of White Lake sponsored the other measure. She says sexual exploitation “is unacceptable at any age, but it is particularly terrible for those children who are forced into prostitution.”
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The measures are House Bills 4209 and 4210.
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Online:
Audio from Zorn: https://gophouse.org/audio
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