Sen. Klobuchar takes aim at sex trafficking

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she will introduce legislation this month to combat sex trafficking.

Klobuchar discussed her plans Saturday at a benefit for local sex trafficking victims.

She says her bill will be modeled on Minnesota's "safe harbor" law for victims.

"The first thing would be to make it very clear that kids that are sold for sex are not criminals," Klobuchar said. "They need support, they should not be locked up in jail. That's taking the Minnesota model of considering the cases in that way and expanding it nationally."

Klobuchar says her bill would also permit sex trafficking victims who are in the country illegally to obtain temporary visas. Klobuchar says the victims should not face immediate deportation if they come forward about their situation.

Klobuchar says she has has also introduced legislation with Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas that would target criminals who purchase sex acts from human trafficking rings.