WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee unanimously approved the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (S. 1693). U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) is a cosponsor of the legislation, which aims to hold websites that facilitate sex trafficking liable and give victims of these horrible crimes the justice they deserve.

“The trafficking of young women and children in our society is an atrocious crime, and we must take action to end this horrific exploitation. The bill we passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee today targets websites, like Backpage.com, which facilitate the evils of sex trafficking. I hope this legislation swiftly moves to the Senate floor so that perpetrators are held accountable and victims can seek the justice they deserve,” said Senator Fischer.

The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act would clarify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to ensure websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking can be held accountable. This legislation would eliminate federal liability protections to websites that knowingly facilitate a violation of federal sex trafficking laws. It would also allow law enforcement at the state level to take action against individuals or businesses that violate these laws.

Click here to view S. 1693 bill text.

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