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A bill that would increase penalties for human traffickers unanimously passed a House committee Tuesday afternoon.
HB230 would charge a human smuggler with a count of human trafficking per person smuggled. Currently, that person would only be charged with one count regardless of how many people were involved. While human trafficking was addressed in SB81, Utah's comprehensive immigration reform law, the punishment was not clear.
"This is the better way and probably the more accurate way of approaching the problem," said Richard Hamp, assistant attorney general.
The bill now moves to the House floor for further debate.
-- Sheena McFarland
