House Committee Approves Posting Human Trafficking Hotline in Transportation Hubs
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House Committee Approves Posting Human Trafficking Hotline in Transportation Hubs

Date: January 8, 2018
By: Jack Morrisroe
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1246, HB1303

Intro: 
A Missouri House committee approved putting a human trafficking hotline poster in hotels, strip clubs and airports. *****OUTRO: If you have information about a potential human trafficking situation, you can call the Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1 (888) 373-7888 or text "Help" to 233733
RunTime: 0:34
OutCue: SOC

Wrap: The proposed poster would be the size of a sheet of paper and include a phone number, text-in hotline and website.

Supporters said the measure would make the hotline and website more accessible to victims. There was no opposition to the measure.

Missouri had one-hundred and thirty-five cases of human trafficking reported in 2016, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Ninety-five of those cases were for sex trafficking.

Speaker of the House Todd Richardson said he plans to pass the measure onto the Senate this week.

Jack Morrisroe, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro: 
A lobbyist gift limit was approved for the third time in three years by a Missouri House committee.
RunTime: 0:41
OutCue: SOC

Wrap: The measure would give an exception to lobbyists giving flowers or plaques to legislators. It would also allow lobbyists to provide lunch for all Missouri lawmakers in the state.

Speaker of the House Todd Richardson made passing a lobbyist gift limit a top priority for all of his three years as speaker, but has not sent the measure to the governor.

Missouri does not currently limit gifts to lobbyists, but they must be disclosed to the state's ethics commission.

Proponents of the bill said lobbyists exert too much influence over lawmakers through these gifts. Opponents have said the gifts would not stop and public records of any gifts taken would be lost.

Jack Morrisroe, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.