Bill to confiscate pimps’ money stays alive
CARSON CITY — Legislation to take the assets of pimps who use teenage prostitutes won unanimous approval today in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Under Assemblyman John Hambrick's Assembly Bill 283, pimps could be fined as much as $500,000 if they are convicted of using underage girls as prostitutes. Their assets also would be forfeited and the funds used for programs to help sexually exploited and runaway children.
During a hearing, witnesses said there are no facilities in Nevada to care for sexually exploited children and that often teen prostitutes return to their pimps.
Las Vegas police said they investigated 150 cases of teen prostitution last year and about 50 so far in 2009.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.
