State Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, today won unanimous Senate passage of her bill aimed at halting the sexual abuse of minors.

Roach joined eight other senators, of both parties, who also sponsored legislation to crack down on teen exploitation.

Senate Bill 6257 closes loopholes by enhancing definitions in existing law pertaining to both private and public explicit photographs and videotapes.

Roach said if our laws are not specific, the adults engaged in these activities will find a way to get off the hook.

“We must continue our fight against organized commercial abuse of children,” Roach said. “We need to protect our children by giving law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to put these criminals behind bars and take the profit out of these despicable crimes.

“My bill was one of nine approved by the Senate today to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual abuse of minors.

“We passed the first human trafficking bill in 2002, and in 2003, Washington was the first to make human trafficking a state crime. By our actions today, Washington continues to lead the nation.”