Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced today that the Assembly passed a legislative package to combat against human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is exploitation at its most despicable and the number of victims has reached an alarming level,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “This series of bills will strengthen New York’s laws to better protect and support victims and root out and combat those who prey on them.”

Two key pieces of this package are the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act (A.506), which would strengthen New York’s existing human trafficking laws by increasing penalties for sex and labor human trafficking and a housing piece (A.2953), which would require the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to make safe, accessible housing available to victims.

Additional measures meant to combat human trafficking include:

• Strengthening and extending until 2019 the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking (A.551);
• Waiving the DNA databank fee for persons convicted of an offense and found to be a victim of human trafficking (A.2469);
• The creation of a 24 hour, toll free hotline (A.2636); and
• Training for employees of casinos to recognize signs of human trafficking (A.3419).

Assemblymember Barrett noted that victims are often runaway and homeless youth, youth in the juvenile justice system, children with histories of being abused, children with disabilities and refugees and immigrants. According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, 80 percent of identified victims are female, and over 50 percent are children. An estimated 100,000-300,000 U.S. children are currently caught up in sex trafficking, an alarming statistic.¹

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1. ocfs.ny.gov/main/humantraffic/Default.asp