Introduced by Senators Leach and Vance, SB 1227 will require placement of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) Hotline number in key establishments to provide resources and information to victims and citizens in places of transit (such as welcome centers, rest stops, bus stations), and in locations where victims are “at work” and their “customers” in known sex or labor trafficking venues (certain hotels/motels, strip clubs, massage parlors).

Posting the NHTRC toll free hotline will provide help and assistance to victims, anyone who wants to provide a tip, or who would like additional information on human trafficking.

Sex and labor trafficking occur in Pennsylvnania.  Sex trafficking occurs in pimp-controlled street prostitution, commercial-front massage parlors, and closed-network residential brothels.  Victims are increasingly advertised on internet sites like Craigslist.  Pennsylvania is also a “pass through” state for human trafficking.  The many interstate highways going through Pennsylvania connect major trafficking hotspots in Ohio and New York, and New Jersey to Florida.  Rarely do traffickers allow victims to have a night off, so even when traveling, they are forced to work.  Truck stops, especially those along the “Miracle Mile” are well known for playing host to sex trafficking. Victims of labor trafficking are typically found in domestic servitude, agriculture, nail salons, and even in traveling sales crews selling candy or magazine subscriptions.  Victims of human trafficking face a horrific life in which they are threatened, beaten, raped, starved, locked up, or psychologically tortured.  

Bill Specifics 

What SB1227 does:  Requires the posting of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline by entities where victims are most likely to see it.

Intent of SB1227:  The measure is an effort to provide greater outreach to victims of human trafficking. If just one victim of trafficking see's the hotline number and makes a call, it is worth it. 

Cost:  SB1227 requires the Department of Labor and Industry make the sign available for download on thier website - at no cost to the state! This is modeled after the similar human trafficking hotline posting law in Maryland.

Enforcement:  SB1227 is intended to provide a link to critical help for victims of human trafficking.  The language of the bill is drafted under the Labor and Industry code and provides a civil penalty (fine) for entities who do not post the sign.  As has been the case in states like Texas where the licensing agency conducts a normal inspection to ensure that all other requirements are met by the entity, so too can the agency in Pennsylvania.  

What else: The resolution to create the PA Human Trafficking Advisory Committee passed this week.  Enacting the hotline posting bill will provide the committee with another tool to determine what type of trafficking activity is in the state, and where it is most often occuring. 

Current State Law:  In 2006 the Pennsylvania legislature made human trafficking a second degree felony, unless the perpetrator injures the victim or the victim is under 18, in which case it is a first degree felony.  In addition, traffickers will face forfeiture of any assets associated with the crime – potentially providing the state with tens of thousands of dollars.  

OTHER WAYS TO HELP
1. Take the pledge to vote for Free Generation International to receive a $20,000 donation from Chase Bank.  They need your vote on Facebook.  I don't have $20,000 to donate against human trafficking, but Chase Bank does with your vote.

2. If you would like to do more, please visit the Human Trafficking Petition pageon Change.org.  There are currently 60+ petitions you can sign to help improve polices and make changes in the fight against modern slavery.

Thank you and keep up the fight!