A state senator has sponsored a bill that she hopes sends the message that “Nebraska is no longer open to human trafficking business.”

Senator Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln says human trafficking is a growing problem in Nebraska. . .

Her bill would increase the penalties for trafficking minors, for threatening to physically harm someone to force them to engage in sexual trafficking, and for anyone who solicits a victim of sex trafficking.

Pansing Brooks says she drafted her legislation after consulting with the Attorney General and the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force.