Crimes such as kidnapping that aid human trafficking would be punished more severely under a bill Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to sign this week.

A story from the AP says, the bill would create a new "human trafficking" specification that prosecutors could attach to related crimes to increase prison sentences _ just as penalties are more severe if a crime involves a firearm.

The proposal marks an attempt to address the burgeoning sex trade in northwest Ohio.

The specification would also mandate jail time for convictions on promoting prostitution, illegally using a minor in pornography and endangering children.

The bill, however, isn't as far-reaching as victims' advocates would prefer. It does not create a new crime for sex trafficking, which was opposed by prosecutors who said there are already laws on the books to punish crimes that constitute human trafficking.

A federal investigation into a child prostitution ring in Harrisburg, Pa., exposed Toledo as a center for the trade in 2005. Nine local girls had been sold as sex slaves as part of the ring, and at least 12 of the 31 people charged had ties to Toledo.