Law would help sex trafficking victims start over

(AP) - A bill pending in the Nevada Legislature seeks to allow sex trafficking victims to expunge prostitution convictions from their records.

Assemblyman John Hambrick of Las Vegas told the Assembly Committee of the Judiciary Wednesday that these convictions pop up on background checks and often keep victims from landing employment elsewhere.

Hambrick says this amounts to re-victimization and that AB6 would allow victims to reclaim some degree of normalcy.

Supporters say AB6 provides an essential tool for rehabilitation and is similar to laws being considered in Illinois and Maryland as well as to one New York enacted last year.

AB6 does not require a new hearing or new evidence. Victims would have to petition the court to clear the convictions.

No action was taken on the bill.