Pimping children may become a bit tougher in Maryland, as a bill that would toughen penalties for sex slavery and forced labor of minors passed its next-to-last hurdle in the House of Delegates on Monday.

The House Judiciary Committee ? a group of veteran legislators notoriously reluctant to pass new laws ? on Friday unanimously recommended approval of bill, marking the first time in three years that advocates won support from the committee?s hard-nosed chairman, Joseph Vallario.