The United States Senate [official site] on Tuesday voted in favor of a motion to proceed with consideration of House Bill 1865 [text] aimed at curbing online sex trafficking.

House Bill 1865 was first introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on April 3, 2017. The bill passed [JURIST report] the House on February 27, 2018 and was sent to the Senate the next day.

HB 1965 seeks to amend the Communications Act of 1934 [text]. Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 does not address implications regarding sexual trafficking or prostitution via online mediums. HB 1865’s amendments explicitly stated that the “[a]ct does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.” The bill also prescribes federal criminal liability and sentences for offenders.