Human trafficking is a complex and troubling problem in New York. At the heart of that complexity is a lack of information and awareness about how it happens, who it impacts and how to stop it. The Assembly Minority Conference Task Force on Human Trafficking last year set out to learn more and take the proactive and collaborative steps to finding solutions.

Earlier this week, thanks to the hard work of the task force’s co-chairs, Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) and the community partners who helped facilitate our important work, the Task Force released its report detailing a comprehensive plan focused on increasing cooperation between key agencies and closing legal loopholes that allow human trafficking to fester.

I also want to highlight the incredible testimony of Katrina Massey, a survivor of trafficking who spoke with passion and insight about her experiences during our press event unveiling the report. Katrina’s courage, poise and resilience—she is now a successful business owner and advocate—are an inspiration, and our Conference thanks her immensely for sharing her story so honestly.

Unfortunately, there are too many individuals who have been in Katrina’s shoes, and it has become increasingly difficult to stop the pipeline of victims—but there is hope. Based on the written and oral testimony we collected from experts, stakeholders, law enforcement officers and survivors over the course of eight regional forums, we crafted a series of recommendations aimed at tackling the root causes of human trafficking and punishing those who perpetrate it. As such, we are calling for the governor and our legislative colleagues to:

• Reclassify all criminal acts outlined in sex trafficking statute section 230.34 as class B violent felonies. Regardless of the non-violent or violent nature of the act, the resulting sex trafficking is itself violent (A.6946, Morinello);
• Eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for sex trafficking and sex trafficking a child, both class B violent felonies. Extend the criminal statute of limitations for sex trafficking felonies designated as non-violent (A.7003, Walsh);
• Make promoting prostitution in the fourth degree and patronizing a person in the third degree (victim under 17) bail-eligible offenses (A.6622, Giglio);
• Require the law to use language that does not legitimize prostitution, which is a form of sex trafficking (A.7008, Maher);
• Allow for an exception in sex trafficking cases to authorize law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony to the grand jury (A.7018, Tannousis);
• Require migrants to register with the state to assist in conducting background checks and maintaining community safety (A.2046, Slater); and
• Advance programs to educate state residents and professionals on how to identify and prevent human trafficking.

Our members also identified systemic problems with funding and support for the services tasked with addressing human trafficking. For one, the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, which is tasked with coordinating state agency collaboration, collecting data and providing education on the topic, only published its 2022 report on the issue in August of 2024. It has been operating with six vacancies and its meetings are not open to the public, which means stakeholders and law enforcement agencies cannot share their perspectives; we believe that needs to change.

Like any problem of this magnitude, communication, collaboration and commitment are essential. We have found shortfalls in all three of these areas, and with the information we’ve collected and a renewed commitment to tackling this problem, I believe we can help. Together, we can overcome this heinous crime and make our state safe for women, children and all those vulnerable to the scourge of human trafficking.