JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House signaled today that human trafficking remains a significant problem in the state, as the body gave first-round approval to a bill that would broaden punishable offenses for traffickers.

The bill, which received overwhelming support by a voice vote, would also provide additional protections for victims of trafficking and require that victims be paid restitution by the offender whether the offender is sentenced to a prison term or probation.

The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles, related detailed anecdotes on the floor of sexual trafficking incidents in Missouri, as she emphasized that the crimes are indeed being committed enough in the state to warrant a set of specific laws.

"It happens in Missouri too," Zerr said. "Lives are damaged and twisted all for someone's selfish and sick desires."

"This is probably the most important thing we will do this session," she added.

That the measure received broad support did not come as much of a surprise: At the beginning of the session, House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, indicated that he hoped to see the bill pass.

The legislation would broaden the crimes punishable under the state's current sex trafficking laws, including making it a crime to blackmail or threaten someone for purposes of sex trafficking, as well as to gain financially from such trafficking.

If signed into law, the measure would affect statute relating to sexual crimes. The bill does not explicitly address human trafficking for forced labor or slavery.