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Senate Judiciary Committee advances S-1989 to expand trafficking offenses to include financial beneficiaries
Summary
The committee voted to advance S-1989, a bill that would expand the crime of human trafficking to cover individuals who benefit financially from trafficking and traffickers of minors coerced into labor or services. The committee adopted clarifying amendments and heard testimony from advocates.
The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee advanced S-1989, a bill sponsored in committee by Senators Gopal and Singleton, which would expand the criminal offense of human trafficking to include individuals who benefit financially from trafficking schemes and to create an enhanced penalty for traffickers who coerce minors into labor or services.
The committee considered committee amendments that, according to the chair’s brief summary, would clarify that enhanced penalties apply to: (1) any participant in a human trafficking scheme or course of conduct who benefits financially from that scheme, and (2) anyone who traffics minors to provide coerced labor or services.
Why it matters: The bill targets persons who profit from trafficking in addition to direct traffickers, and imposes enhanced penalties for exploitation of minors. Committee release moves the measure to the full Senate for further consideration.
Public testimony and committee remarks: Carol Ruiz of Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center testified in favor of the bill and described common trafficking settings, including large sporting events and industries such as childcare, home health aides, and hair salons. Ruiz told senators, “Our sporting events certainly are one of the usual, and sadly common places where human trafficking explodes.” She urged the committee to consider the Immigrant Trust Act (S-3672) alongside S-1989 so victims feel safe reporting crimes and so prosecutions can reach those who profit from trafficking.
The committee also had sign-up slips indicating support from representatives of Associated Builders and Contractors, Volunteers of America, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference; those representatives did not speak during the hearing.
Procedure and vote: Senator Gopal moved the bill with amendments; Senator Singleton seconded. The committee conducted a roll-call vote on the amended bill. Senators who registered a yes vote on the roll call included Senator Testa, Senator Corrado, Senator Buco, Senator Bramnick, Senator Smith, Senator Sarlo, Senator Gopal and Senator Burgess. Chairman Stack announced the bill was released (approved) by the committee and would proceed to the full Senate.
Ending: With S-1989 released, the committee adjourned.
