Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) joined Assemblyman Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden), Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston), his Assembly Minority colleagues as well as law enforcement and survivors of human trafficking to unveil the report and findings from the Assembly Minority Task Force on Human Trafficking, which can be found here. The task force held 8 regional forums, special meetings and written testimony across the state where the members met with and listened to survivors, law enforcement and other stakeholders who helped create the plan. The report laid out 63 recommendations seeking to prevent human trafficking and strengthen support for survivors. These include:

• Evaluate existing funding structures to identify barriers making victims’ services reimbursement requests unsustainable for anti-trafficking and domestic violence nonprofits (bill number pending, Maher);
• 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 for prostitution in the third degree (victim under 17) bail-eligible offenses (A.6622, Giglio);
• Prohibit the use of language in the law so as not to 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);
• Ensure the ITF’s vacancies are filled by the speaker of the Assembly and the temporary president of the Senate, ensure nonprofits are represented, subject the ITF to open meetings laws and include the Department of Education as a member agency; and
• Advance programs to educate state residents and professionals on how to identify and prevent human trafficking.

“I want to thank Assemblymembers Maher and Walsh for their leadership and important work heading up this task force. Human trafficking is a scourge on society and should never be tolerated. We, as legislators, need to use every tool at our disposal to help eradicate it from the state; that includes listening to all relevant stakeholders and including them in the policy-making process. I am proud to say this task force was able to do that. The common-sense proposals put forth today should have widespread bi-partisan support, and I hope my Majority colleagues will join us,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano also reiterated his support for survivors of human trafficking and law enforcement. He argued that since 2019 and one-party control in Albany, the state has not done enough to help support public safety and crime victims.

“I want to thank all survivors and law enforcement, including those who shared their powerful stories to help effectuate change. Please know our entire Assembly Minority Conference stands with you and that we will continue to be a strong voice, ally and advocate in support of public safety and crime victims in Albany,” concluded Palmesano.