Simsbury State Rep. Co-Sponsors Laws Against Human Trafficking

From The Office of Simsbury's State Rep John Hampton: Simsbury's State Representative John K. Hampton is pleased to announce a bill he co-sponsored to strengthen the laws against human trafficking has passed the House of Representatives.

“We cannot not allow those that would commit the horrendous crime of human trafficking to see Connecticut it as a complacent state where they could ply their trade with impunity,” Rep. Hampton said. “This crime deserves no less than a class A felony and I look forward to support in the Senate and signing into the law by the governor.”

The bill, which was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, now heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved, House Bill #7309 would make sex trafficking a class A felony under state law, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. It would also create a new class B felony charge of commercial sexual abuse of a minor.

In 2015, the Department of Children and Families reported that the agency received 133 referrals of suspected child victims of sex trafficking. In 2016, this number skyrocketed. The department said that it received 202 referrals of youth who are either at risk or confirmed victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

The bill also seeks to appoint an adult victim of human trafficking to the Trafficking in Persons Council from the Governor’s Office. By requiring state officials to provide health counseling and support programs to victims of human trafficking, those affected can get the help they need.

The bill also seeks to expand the entities required to post signs about human trafficking. If an establishment does not post the proper notice, they would be subject to a fine.

John Hampton represents Simsbury’s 16th Assembly District. He is Assistant Majority Leader, Ranking Member of the Internship Committee, and serves on the Aging and Commerce Committees

Image Via Pixabay