West Central PA News

On December 14, 2023, Pennsylvania Governor signed into law Act No. 39 of 2023, a landmark legislation aimed at protecting sexually exploited children and human trafficking victims. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Maria Collett and Kristin Phillips-Hill, guarantees that sexually exploited children who are victims of human trafficking will always have full access to appropriate services and support.

Under the previous Pennsylvania law, minors who were exploited for commercial sex had to identify their third-party perpetrator to be considered a victim of human trafficking, unless their purchaser was charged as a trafficker. This requirement created unnecessary emotional and physical trauma for the victims, as they had to relive their experiences and identify their perpetrators to access the services they desperately needed for healing and recovery.

Senator Collett's Senate Bill 45, currently awaiting consideration in the Pennsylvania House, aims to eliminate the third-party control requirement to access victim services under the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act. This legislation will further strengthen the support and resources available to sexually exploited children and human trafficking victims.

Senator Collett emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "No matter how a district attorney chooses to prosecute, sexually exploited children should never be subject to the emotional and physical trauma of identifying their human trafficking perpetrator to obtain the services they desperately need for healing and recovery."

The passage of this bipartisan and collaborative legislation marks a significant step forward in the fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable children. By removing the third-party control requirement from Pennsylvania's criminal code, the legislation ensures that any child who is preyed upon for commercial sex will be recognized as a victim of human trafficking under the law.

This legislation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Senators Maria Collett, Kristin Phillips-Hill, and all those who supported and advocated for its passage. It demonstrates Pennsylvania's commitment to combating human trafficking and providing the necessary support and resources to help victims rebuild their lives.

With Act No. 39 of 2023 now in effect, sexually exploited children and human trafficking victims in Pennsylvania can have confidence that they will be treated as victims, not criminals, and that they will have access to the services and support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.

Click this link to access more information: https://senatordush.com/2023/12/28/landmark-legislation-to-protect-sexually-exploited-children-and-human-trafficking-victims-now-law/