Bill Text: NJ AR161 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges United States Senate to pass certain federal legislation to protect trafficking victims.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-30 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR161 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AR161-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Urges United States Senate to pass certain federal legislation to protect trafficking victims.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Senate to pass the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022.
Whereas, On July 26, 2022, the United States House of Representatives passed the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 (the "Act") by a vote of 401-20 and on July 27, 2022, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; and
Whereas, If enacted, the Act would provide more than $1.1 billion over a five-year period to reauthorize and enhance certain programs established by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protections Act of 2000 such as those that provide shelters, mental health care, education, life skills, and job training; and
Whereas, This legislation also would provide $35 million for housing opportunities to help victims escape living with those who abuse them and to prevent trafficking of foster youth; and
Whereas, The Act would reauthorize the federal Department of Homeland Security's Angel Watch Center, codified by the International Megan's Law, to prevent international sex tourism travel by convicted child sex offenders; and
Whereas, Further, this legislation would enhance trafficking prevention education for children by involving parents and law enforcement in age-appropriate programs to assist in the prevention of child trafficking as well as online grooming; and
Whereas, The Act, if passed, will strengthen laws to convict human traffickers domestically and internationally, protect victims and witnesses during investigations, provide restitution for survivors, prevent unfair sentencing of youthful offenders who were victims of trafficking, and provide stricter sanctions for countries on Tier 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Report because they do not comply with minimum standards to prevent human trafficking; and
Whereas, The legislation also increases accountability for the United States, as well as foreign governments, hotels, and airlines through anti-trafficking training and codes of conduct for their staff; transparency in anti-trafficking expenditures; and permanent incorporation of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking as part of the United States' commitment to survivor informed policy; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey recognizes that a major reason trafficking survivors cannot escape the cycle of human trafficking is because they do not have shelter to which they can escape; and
Whereas, It is the duty of our State and country to protect these vulnerable populations and to ensure housing access; and
Whereas, The welfare of an increasing number of children is effected by the human trafficking issues this legislation is intended to eliminate; and
Whereas, It is imperative that Congress acts to ensure that these vulnerable populations are protected from a devastating cycle of violence and abuse resulting from human trafficking; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The United States Senate is respectfully urged to pass the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly, to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, and to every member of New Jersey's congressional delegation.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Senate to pass the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022.
On July 26, 2022, the United States House of Representatives passed the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 (the "Act") by a vote of 401-20. If enacted, the Act would provide over $1.1 billion over a five-year period to reauthorize and enhance certain programs established by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protections Act of 2000 such as shelters, mental health care, education, life skills, and job training. This legislation would also provide funding for housing opportunities to help victims escape living with those who abuse them and to prevent trafficking of foster youth.
The Act, if passed, will strengthen laws to convict human traffickers domestically and internationally, protect victims and witnesses during investigations, provide restitution for survivors, prevent unfair sentencing of youthful offenders who were victims of trafficking, and provide stricter sanctions for countries on Tier 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Report because they do not comply with minimum standards for preventing human trafficking. The legislation also adds accountability for the United States, as well as foreign governments, hotels, and airlines through anti-trafficking training and codes of conduct for their staff; transparency in anti-trafficking expenditures, and permanently incorporates the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking as part of the United States' commitment to survivor informed policy.
The State of New Jersey recognizes the importance of these issues and the duty of our State and country to protect these vulnerable populations. It is important that the Senate acts to ensure that these vulnerable populations are protected from a devastating cycle of violence and abuse resulting from human trafficking.
