JUNEAU -- An Alaska lawmaker has proposed a bill tightening punishments and closing legal loopholes for sex trafficking within the state. Democratic state Sen. Bill Wielechowski of Anchorage proposed the bill to address the bringing of people from rural areas to work as prostitutes in Alaska's cities.

Under the bill, human traffickers would be charged with a felony for enticing someone to move within the state to engage in sexual conduct or to a workplace where they are kept by force.

The bill also includes language allowing a judge to mandate a sex offender live more than 500 feet from school grounds.

Wielechowski says a person can currently only be charged with sex trafficking if they bring someone across state lines.