HARRISBURG, January 25, 2011 – Today, State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/ Montgomery) joined advocates from Polaris Project, Covenant House PA and citizen activists for the Pennsylvania Lobby Day to End Human Trafficking at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg.
Leach highlighted the lobby day by hosting a Capitol press conference to announce the introduction of two bills aimed at ending trafficking in Pennsylvania. The event featured support and commentary from Sen. Pat Vance (D-Cumberland/York), Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks), Polaris Project's Senior Policy Specialist Julie Janovsky, Covenant House PA's Assistant Executive Director Hugh Organ, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association President Ed Marsico, and Judy Hale Reed from the Southwestern PA Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition.
During his remarks, Leach voiced his appreciation for the passage of a resolution creating an advisory committee to study and report on the incidence of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, but noted that the committee’s deadline is too far in the future for legislators to wait idly by.
“When you are being abused daily like the victims of human trafficking and sex crimes are abused; when you’re afraid for your life and forced into heinous, criminal acts; when you’re threatened or beaten if you resist your captors, two years is an awfully long time to wait,” Leach implored. “It’s critical that we act now because while the committee gathers information and prepares legislative recommendations, more victims are being captured and dehumanized.”
The two bills slated for introduction include one that would require posting of the Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number in certain Pennsylvania establishments, such as those with a liquor license, massage parlors, spas, hotels and motels found to be a nuisance, adult entertainment clubs, and places of transit. The second bill, known as the “Vacating Convictions” bill, would remove commercial sex convictions and act as a defense for those proven to be victims of human trafficking. Both bills will be introduced later this month.
“Too often, women and children are deceived into coming to this country only to learn later that they have become victims of human trafficking. We cannot and must not let this continue,” said Rep. Clymer, who recently introduced a companion hotline bill in the House of Representatives. “Today, Pennsylvania is sending a clear message to these criminals that their days are numbered, and justice will prevail.”
Polaris Project’s Julie Janovsky, agreed, “Human trafficking is a clandestine crime; it’s a crime that’s hidden in the shadows. These pieces of legislation are critically important now, and I hope that everyone will urge their legislators to move them forward.”
The hotline bill, formerly Senate Bill 1227, was introduced last session before stalling in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. Leach said that if brought to a full Senate vote, both this bill and the “Vacating Convictions” bill would pass unanimously.
“These are not controversial bills,” Leach said. “They just need to be moved. Then we can save lives.”
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