Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul)
A bill that unanimously passed the Minnesota Senate would substantially increase penalties for those *intending* to hire a minor for prostitution, so they’re the same as penalties for those who *actually* hire an underage person for prostitution. The bill’s sponsor, Saint Paul Democrat Sandy Pappas, says “current law inadequately protects minors from prostitution and the penalties need to be increased in order to protect the children.” The maximum penalty is currently 30 days in jail and a thousand-dollar fine for those intending to hire a minor for prostitution. The bill’s objective is to make law enforcement sting operations more effective.