By Associated Press - Monday, March 2, 2020

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire senator is co-sponsoring a bill that aims to give law enforcement agencies additional tools to go after online child exploitation.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, says the bill would require technology companies like Facebook and Google to preserve evidence for reports of online child exploitation for 180 days - twice the current period of 90 days. This would give agencies more time to pursue crimes, she said.

“The startling rise in online child sexual abuse imagery requires significant action from law enforcement and public officials, which is why I am cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to enhance the ability of law enforcement at all levels to investigate these heinous crimes,” Hassan said in a statement. “I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect our children from harm and ensure that law enforcement has the support and resources that they need to bring perpetrators to justice.”

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, and Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada.

Last year, President Donald Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Hassan to fund Children’s Advocacy Centers, which support victims of child abuse and assists law enforcement agencies.

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