Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) applauded his colleagues for helping him pass a critical piece of legislation that will protect some of society’s most vulnerable people. The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act (A.506) will strengthen punishments against human traffickers and help law enforcement officials detain them.

“It was so important for us to take a strong stand against those who are active in this evil, dehumanizing practice,” said Palmesano, one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “Our laws should reflect our common values, and strengthening human trafficking laws shows how important it is for us to give a voice to the voiceless.”

The bill passed unanimously, 141-0.

Palmesano noted that a shift in the majority’s tactics will hasten the process by which the bill will become law.

Last year, Palmesano co-sponsored the bill. However, leaders in the Assembly Majority would not bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Instead, they tied the bill to a 10-point women’s equality package that included a controversial provision to expand access to late-term abortions.

Palmesano and other Assembly Minority members who are opposed to the abortion provision have been urging the separation of the non-controversial bills from the women’s equality package for two years.

“I am hopeful that the other provisions of the women’s equality agenda will be taken up individually this way,” said Palmesano.

Like Palmesano, the state Senate Majority is opposed to the abortion plank and took up their women’s equality package as individual bills last session. This session, the state Senate passed their matching version of this bill, and the governor has indicated he will sign it into law very soon.

“Now that the Assembly Majority has done the right thing and separated these women’s equality bills, we can vote on them on their own merits. Our colleagues in the state Senate have done the same, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring bills to the governor’s desk that increase opportunities and enact stronger protections for women across New York State,” said Palmesano.