(Radio Iowa) – Iowa could be poised to join 27 other states that have so-called “Safe Harbor” laws for victims of human trafficking. Karl Schilling of the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance says while he’s worked with victims for more than 30 years, he’s still stunned by the depravity and brutality of human traffickers.

Advocates say the bill will help turn victims into survivors and give them immunity to testify against sex traffickers. Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale says the bill IS a priority, but the bill won’t pass the Senate in its current form.

Bill backers say it’s important to erase prostitution convictions on a victim’s criminal record so they can qualify for loans, get jobs and turn their lives around. Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner Stephan Bayens says he’s not opposed to the concept, but the bill as written actually provides blanket immunity to victims of human trafficking.

Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines says she’s concerned about another provision in the bill. It calls for placing minors in foster care rather than criminal detention after they’ve been arrested for prostitution.

She says pimps might try to harass and threatened foster parents AND the minors involved. Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs says arresting a minor accused of prostitution and holding them in jail or detention may be better than placing them in a foster care home.

Dawson says teens picked up for prostitution often return to a human trafficker because that person has been their only source of food and shelter. The bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate. It passed the House on a 95 to one vote earlier this month.