Panel considering tougher Ind. sex-trafficking law

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana Senate committee was set to consider a bill cracking down on human sex trafficking that legislators hope to get approved before football fans flock to Indianapolis for next month’s Super Bowl.

The bill being heard Thursday by the Senate criminal code committee would make it a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison to transport a child younger than 16 to engage in prostitution. Bill sponsor Sen. Randy Head of Logansport says that and other provisions are needed to help prosecutors and police combat an expected rise in prostitution that has accompanied the Super Bowl in other cities.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has called the practice “abominable” and has asked lawmakers to pass the legislation before the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.