On July 20, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) signed a package of eight bills into law that hope to improve services for human trafficking victims and survivors.
“We must do everything in our power to end the scourge of human trafficking and protect thousands of individuals who fall victim to this abhorrent practice in New York,” Gov. Hochul said. “New Yorkers should know the signs of human trafficking and be ready to lend a hand to stand up for victims.”
The new laws will ensure locations such as airports, bus terminals, hotels and truck stops prominently feature information on human trafficking. They are intended to inform employees and visitors of crucial information about the wicked practice of human trafficking, as well as provide discreet ways for victims to learn of their rights and the resources available to them.
Approved measures include requiring human trafficking-related curriculum to be included in alcohol training awareness, as well as requiring employees of lodging facilities to be trained to recognize victims of human trafficking. The package included legislation requiring the state Thruway Authority to post information signs and cards to promote services for the victims of human trafficking. Truck stops, Port Authority bus terminals and airports would be required to post similar information for victims.
Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) said, “Every day, women and girls are forced by sex traffickers to sell themselves to men with expendable income. I’m proud to have authored legislation to combat the illegal sex trafficking industry which requires the publicity of critical support services for victims in main transportation hubs, as well as training for hotel workers so that they can spot and report trafficking. Sex trafficking is often conducted in plain sight but is not identified and depends on lodging and transportation to operate. By reaching victims at these intersections where they can be identified and connected to services, we can offer them a lifeline to safety and freedom.”
As a part of our justice and mercy agenda, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is supportive of the enacted legislation.