4 New Laws Signed In PA: Big Crackdown On Human Trafficking

HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Tom Wolf signed four bills into law Wednesday, including a bill that cracks down on human trafficking across Pennsylvania.

Among the signed legislation is Senate Bill 60, which establishes harsher penalties for human trafficking and increases the age of the technical definition of a child in relation to human trafficking.

The new law elevates a human trafficking offense to a first-degree felony and increases fines and prison times. Additionally, Senate Bill 60 changes the definition of child in the current statute from anyone under 16 to include anyone under age 18.

“The trafficking of humans is unthinkable and that of children is especially reprehensible,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement after signing the legislation. “No crime involving exploiting humans should be handled lightly and so I am pleased to sign these stricter punishments and increased offenses for those who commit this heinous crime.”

Under Senate Bill 60:

• The additional fine amount increases to least $1,000 for a first offense; $5,000 to $25,000 for a second offense; $10,000 to $50,000 for a third or subsequent offense; or $10,000 to $50,000 where the victim of sexual servitude was a minor at the time of the offense.
• 50 percent of the fines collected will be distributed to Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and the Prevention of Human Trafficking Restricted Account.
• The grading of the offense increases to a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000, if it involves sexual servitude.
• The maximum possible penalty increases to up to 40 years in prison if the victim is a minor and if this is part of a course of conduct of subjecting minors to sexual servitude.
• The grading of the patronizing a victim of sexual servitude offense is increased to a first-degree felony if the person engaged in the act knowing it was the result of the individual being a victim of human trafficking.
• Makes it a third-degree felony if the person engaged in the act with reckless disregard that it was the result of the individual being a victim of human trafficking.
• Any second or subsequent offense will be a first-degree felony.

In addition to the new law governing human trafficking, Senate Bills 690, 691 and 692 were signed into law Wednesday.

The three bills relate to increasing the minimum value of real estate that requires a municipality to advertise to sell. Under the new law, the value of the real estate that requires advertising increases from $1,500 to $6,000.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888.