NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7484
SPONSOR: Gonzalez-Rojas TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 74 of the laws of 2007 amending the penal law,
the criminal procedure law, the correction law, the social services law
and the executive law relating to human trafficking, in relation to
extending the interagency task force on human trafficking
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would extend, for two years, the Interagency Task Force on
Human Trafficking, originally established in 2007.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section. 1 of 483-ee of the social services establishes the interagency
task force on human trafficking, states the composition and meeting
schedule of the task force.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This Task Force, originally created in 2007 as a result of Governor's
Program bill 31 establishing criminal penalties for human trafficking in
New York State, was formed to collect data relating to the enactment of
this human trafficking law and to make recommendations on the effective-
ness of the provisions set forth in this new law and potential amend-
ments. Specifically, the task force was charged with: coordinating the
implementation of the new law; studying issues that may need further
reform, including ensuring that victims are properly protected and
assisted; collecting data on the extent of trafficking in the state; and
recommending best practices for training and community outreach to help
law enforcement, social service providers, prosecutors, defense attor-
neys, and the general public to recognize trafficking situations. The
Task Force was also charged with measuring and evaluating the state's
progress in preventing trafficking and prosecuting persons engaged in
such trafficking. As a result of this legislation, the Task Force
issued one follow up report in August of 2008. Since then, there have
been no published updates on the activity surrounding access to social
services for victims of human trafficking, the effectiveness of the law,
and no suggestions or amendments have been provided to the legislature
for review. In order to bolster the efficiency, effectiveness and
production of this task force, in 2016 the following enhancements were
added to the bill. First, seven new members of the task force were
appointed: four by the two leaders of the houses of the legislature in
order to have hands on access to the most up to date information for
policy makers. Two appointments made by the governor based on the
recommendation of the not for profit organization in New York State that
receives the largest share of funds appropriated by and through the
state budget for providing services to victims of human trafficking, and
the final appointment was made by a recommendation of the President of
the New York State Bar Association.
In addition, the Chairman of the task force is required to create a
subcommittee to meet, gather specific information, formulate recommenda-
tions and report back to the general task force on specific elements of
this multifaceted problem. Each subcommittee must include at least one
of the new seven new members. The task force is required to meet at
least three times per year and issue a report at least annually.
The goal of all of these enhancements was to ensure that every possible
resource, in and out of government, is used effectively to protect
victims, prosecute the purveyors of these horrific activities, and put
as much of a stranglehold on the business of human trafficking as possi-
ble in New York State.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.5530 (2013-2014); A.551 (2015); A. 7591 (2019)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall remain in full force
until September 1, 2023 when upon such date the provisions of this act
shall expire and be deemed repealed.
