Rep. Tliab offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 244.  

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to amend the Communications Decency Act of 1996 to allow the prosecution by state and local governments of individuals who promote prostitution and child sex trafficking through online advertisements.

            Whereas, As many as 2 million children are subjected to prostitution in the global commercial sex trade. Websites that promote prostitution and sex trafficking through classified ads have become more commonplace, facilitating the organized prostitution of children and providing a facade for sex traffickers to hide behind; and

            Whereas, Websites involved in posting ads for prostitution, involving both adults and children, claim protection under the federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 to avoid prosecution. However, the Communications Decency Act was passed to protect Internet Service Providers from defamatory statements made by online users. It was not intended to protect websites involved in criminal activity; and

            Whereas, State and local governments are currently unable to take enforcement action against these sites.  The state of Washington enacted legislation that criminalizes aiding the sale of sex with a child to force online prostitution sites to verify ages or shut down their adult sections entirely. A preliminary injunction has been issued against the law stating, in part, that potential First Amendment issues may be involved; and

            Whereas, Action at the federal level is needed. The National Association of Attorneys General has lobbied Congress to amend the Communications Decency Act of 1996 to allow regulation by state and local governments; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to amend the Communications Decency Act of 1996 to allow the prosecution by state and local governments of individuals who promote prostitution and child sex trafficking through online advertisements; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.