The state Senate sends a strong message to sex traffickers who go after children in Georgia.

Senators overwhelmingly passed two pieces of legislation Thursday that would require those convicted of trafficking register as a sex offender.  They would also have to forfeit their vehicles.

Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), who has longtime been a champion of the legislation, says underage sex trafficking is a $290 million a year industry in Atlanta. She says nearly 400 girls are exploited each month.

"The majority of these victims are not trafficked from other countries, they come from right here in this state; some are as young a 12-year-old," she says.

The constitutional amendment would create a state fund to help the victims including rehabilitative care, housing, and education.

Those convicted of trafficking would have to pay a fine of $2,500 into the fund and adult entertainment establishments would be required to pay an annual fee of $5,000.

"It is an impact fee because it would be a great mischaracterization for us to think or even put forward the idea that these businesses that will be assessed this fee do not impact our society as a whole," says Sen. Mike Crane (R-Newman).

Both measures now go to the state House.