Bill Text: NJ ACR157 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at places of business of registered or illicit employers of massage and bodywork therapists.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-05-16 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [ACR157 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-ACR157-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 157
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2018
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Lopez and Assemblyman Webber
SYNOPSIS
Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at places of business of registered or illicit employers of massage and bodywork therapists.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee on May 16, 2019, with amendments.
A Concurrent Resolution directing, pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3), the State Commission of Investigation to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business.
Whereas, The State Commission on Investigation, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-2), has the broad duty and power to conduct investigations in connection with "[t]he faithful execution and effective enforcement of the laws of the State, with particular reference but not limited to organized crime and racketeering," or "[a]ny matter concerning the public peace, public safety and public justice"; and
Whereas, Among the many crimes listed in N.J.S.2C:41-1 that are associated with organized crime and racketeering activity is the crime of human trafficking, section 1 of P.L.2005, c.77 (C.2C:13-8), which can involve a victim being required, by means of force, fraud, or coercion, to engage in sexual activity, or to provide labor or services; and
Whereas, In January 2018, Polaris Project, a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and offering trafficking victims assistance, issued a report titled "Human Trafficking in Illicit Massage Businesses," which spotlighted the pervasiveness of illegal, commercial sex and potential human trafficking activity occurring in massage parlors throughout the United States, including a concentration of activity within an East Coast region comprised of New Jersey and its neighboring states; and
Whereas, As evidenced by the Polaris Project report, New Jersey's regulation of massage parlors, which includes the licensing of 1[message] massage1 and bodywork therapists, registration of employers which offer massage and bodywork therapies, and criminal history record background checks on all licensees and their employers pursuant to P.L.1999, c.19 (C.45:11-53 et seq.) and P.L.2007, c.337 (C.45:11-68 et al.), may require stronger enforcement efforts or further reforms to be more effective in addressing potential human trafficking activity taking place within massage parlors throughout the State; and
Whereas, The Legislature, pursuant
to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3), can by concurrent resolution
direct the State Commission on Investigation to conduct an investigation
falling within the commission's scope of authority and to present
recommendations for changes in or additions to existing law "for the more
effective administration and enforcement of the law"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The State Commission on Investigation is directed, pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3), to investigate human trafficking activity at the places of business of employers of 1[message] massage1 and bodywork therapists, which employers are subject to registration, and which therapists are subject to licensure, pursuant to P.L.1999, c.19 (C.45:11-53 et seq.) and P.L.2007, c.337 (C.45:11-68 et al.).
2. a. While conducting the investigation, the commission shall, upon the request of the Attorney General, a county prosecutor, or any other law enforcement official, cooperate with, advise, and assist the requesting official in the performance of that official's powers and duties in accordance with section 5 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-5).
b. While conducting the investigation, the commission may consult and exchange information with law enforcement officers and agencies of other states with respect to human trafficking activity of mutual concern to this and other states in accordance with section 7 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-7).
c. If, in the course of conducting the investigation, any information or evidence of a reasonable possibility of human trafficking or other criminal wrongdoing is obtained, the commission shall immediately refer the information or evidence to the Attorney General in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-8).
3. a. No later than two years after the effective date of this concurrent resolution, unless delayed pursuant to subsection b. of this section at the request of the Attorney General, the commission shall issue a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), summarizing the findings of its investigation and making recommendations for addressing human trafficking activity within massage and bodywork therapy places of business.
b. If the report contains any information or evidence of a reasonable possibility of human trafficking or other criminal wrongdoing, the commission shall, in accordance with section 7 of P.L.1996, c.44 (C.52:9M-8.1), give written notice to the Attorney General at least seven days prior to the intended date of issuing the report, in order to afford the Attorney General an opportunity to be heard with respect to any objections the Attorney General has with the report. The commission may then delay, at the request of the Attorney General and in accordance with that section, the issuance of the report for a period of up to 120 days.
4. This concurrent resolution shall take effect immediately.
