After more than a year of being stalled, a bill designed to protect victims of human trafficking is moving through the state Capitol.

Senate Bill 554 would protect child victims from being prosecuted for crimes they were forced to commit. 

Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) introduced his proposal last spring. It quickly and unanimously passed the Senate, then stalled in the House until Tuesday when it was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee.

The measure now awaits a vote on the House floor.

Other states have already passed similar “safe harbor” laws. With 273 human trafficking cases reported in Pennsylvania since 2016, supporters say it’s past time for Pennsylvania to take action.