Senate Bill 5488 would impose a $5,000 fine on anyone convicted of using an Internet ad to sell minors for sex, in addition to punishment for commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
Sponsors of the bill, including Senator Adam Kline of Seattle, say the measure targets pimps rather than the websites used for such advertisements.
After the Legislature passed a bill last year requiring classified-ad websites to verify the ages of advertised escorts, Backpage.com sued the state.
The website claimed the legislation violated federal laws that prevent websites from being held liable for what their users post.
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