Bill Text: NJ A1729 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires AG to address human trafficking in underserved communities.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-4)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-16 - Approved P.L.2023, c.298. [A1729 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-A1729-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1729

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex)

Assemblywoman  VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblywoman  ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Jimenez and Assemblyman McClellan

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires AG to address human trafficking in underserved communities.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee on January 19, 2023, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning human trafficking and underserved communities and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

            1.  a.  The Attorney General shall ¹[establish] allocate and utilize resources¹ in the ¹[Division of Criminal Justice in the]¹ Department of Law and Public Safety ¹[a unit to be known as the Human Trafficking and Underserved Communities Unit. The purpose of the unit shall be] to perform functions designed¹ to address the specific needs and vulnerabilities related to human trafficking which are experienced by members of underserved communities, particularly girls and women of color.

     b.  The ¹[responsibilities of the unit] functions to be performed pursuant to subsection a. of this section¹ shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1)  coordinating with ¹[the Division of State Police and] State,¹ municipal ¹,¹ and county law enforcement agencies to investigate cases related to human trafficking in underserved communities;

     (2)  coordinating with relevant government entities, including, but not limited to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2007, c.95 (C.52:4B-3.2)  and the Commission on Human Trafficking, established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-237), and community-based organizations to create and administer programs to connect victims to appropriate and effective information and resources; and

     (3)  collecting and maintaining data related to human trafficking cases and trends concerning members of underserved communities.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect ¹[on the first day of fourth month next following enactment, except that the Attorney General may take any anticipatory action in advance of that date as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act] immediately¹.