Reminder: Rosendale Against Strengthening Montana’s Sex Trafficking Laws
Helena – As January winds down, so does Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Just a reminder that there’s one person running for Senate in Montana who voted against stronger Montana sex trafficking laws: wealthy real estate developer Matt Rosendale.
Maryland Matt was one of only a handful who voted against a bipartisan measure to strengthen Montana’s sex trafficking laws by bolstering victims’ rights and requiring perpetrators found guilty to register as sex offenders.
The bipartisan legislation was supported by Montana’s law enforcement. A Missoula Police Detective with experience investigating human trafficking said the law “does much to help law enforcement prosecute sex trafficking.”
The Helena Independent Record called the law “vital for Montana,” Attorney General Tim Fox spoke in support of the law, saying it was necessary, and our state’s child sex trafficking prevention rating changed from a “D” to an “A” on a national nonprofit’s report card because of this law.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jon Tester is standing up against sex trafficking by cosponsoring the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act.
“It is unconscionable that Matt Rosendale voted against victims of sex trafficking,” said Brooke Bainum, spokeswoman for the Montana Democratic Party. “Montana’s law enforcement, advocates, and leaders support this bipartisan legislation for good reason: it protects victims of sex trafficking and makes it easier for criminals to be prosecuted. Rosendale’s vote against it shows how harmful his extreme agenda is to Montanans.”
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