Lawmakers Target Forced Sex Trade

The state legislature is looking at a set of new laws to cut down on human trafficking.

Last week, the House approved a measure to require licensing for massage and bodywork therapy places. Sponsors say the businesses are sometimes used as a front for illegal sexual activities.

A similar Senate bill would make it a higher level felony for violating human trafficking laws.

There's also funding in the state budget for more than 21,000 human trafficking awareness signs to be displayed at adult establishments, hospitals, rest stops and other places.

All of those measures are designed to crack down on the forced sex trade across the state. Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline shows North Carolina ranked among the top ten states for the number of cases reported.