TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- A bill proposed in the Kansas Senate would increase penalties for human trafficking and try to protect victims under the age of 18.

The bill introduced Monday would create the new crime of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. It also would allow authorities to treat those caught in human trafficking as victims. And it would create coordinated training for human trafficking enforcement.

The Wichita Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/126JC3g ) a main part of the bill is creating response teams that would provide various placement options for victims. And it would create a human trafficking victim assistance fund.

The bill would make promoting prostitution a felony, with fines ranging from $2,500 to more than $5,000. Patronizing prostitutes would be a misdemeanor with a fine of $2,500 unless it involves a repeat offender.

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Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, http://www.kansas.com