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Trafficking survivors warn SB 68's negligent-security language would bar many claims
Summary
Survivors, advocates and plaintiffs' lawyers told a House subcommittee that the negligent-security standards in Senate Bill 68 create impossible "and" conditions (specific time, identity, location) that will prevent victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse from proving claims against hotels and other venues.
Survivors of human trafficking, victim advocates and plaintiffs' attorneys urged the Georgia House Subcommittee on Rules not to approve Senate Bill 68’s negligent-security provision, saying the law’s proof requirements would deny victims meaningful civil remedies.
Why it matters: One section of SB 68 would narrow premises-liability claims for "negligent security" by requiring plaintiffs to prove multiple, specific conditions — including that the owner "knew the person would be on the premises" and that there were "prior occurrences of substantially similar wrongful conduct" with the same identity, time and location. Critics said those "and" conditions are too rigid to reflect how trafficking and sexual violence actually occur.
Melanie Manis, a trafficking survivor who testified, said the…
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