Upcoming Legislation: Senate Bill 7 would sentence child sex trafficking consumers to life in prison
Senate Bill 7 was profiled on Nov. 14, 2018, and is summarized as, “An act relating to crimes; providing that a person who is less than 14 years of age for prostitution is guilty of sex trafficking; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”
Existing Nevada laws prohibit any person from engaging in prostitution or solicitation outside of a legal Nevada brothel.
Senate Bill 7, if adopted, would additionally provide that a customer who violates such a prohibition by knowingly soliciting a child who is less than 14 years of age for prostitution is committing a sex trafficking crime, and therefore is guilty of a Category A Felony.
As the law stands now, anyone who violates this prohibition by soliciting a child for prostitution is guilty of a Category E Felony on the first offense, a Category D Felony on the second offense, and a Category C Felony on a third and subsequent offense, the bill states.
If SB 7 is adopted, a person convicted would be also be required to be punished by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
A fine no more than $20,000 could also be applied.
This bill would also include the following consequences:
1) Authorizing a victim to bring a civil action against any person who caused, was responsible for, or profited from the crime.
2) Extending the period within which a criminal action must be commenced under certain circumstance.
3) Authorizing a court to order the taking and use at trial of a videotaped deposition or testimony of a victim.
4) Making any personal property and conveyances used in the commission of the crime subject to forfeiture.
5) Authorizing application for a court order authorizing the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications to obtain evidence of such a crime.
6) Making the crime constitute a “crime against a child” and a “sexual offense” for the purposes of registration and community notifications.
7) Increasing the punishment for conspiracy to commit such a crime.
8) Providing confidentiality of the identity of a victim.
9) Requiring the reporting of the crime to law enforcement by certain persons under certain circumstances; and
10) Entitling the child to apply for compensation from the Fund for the Compensation of Victims of Crime.
If accepted, this new law would be enacted on July 1, 2019.