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Senate committee advances S1989 to extend penalties to those who profit from human trafficking
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee released S1989, which would expand human-trafficking offenses to cover individuals who financially benefit and add enhanced penalties for those profiting or trafficking minors; public testimony urged pairing the bill with immigrant-trust protections.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to release S1989, legislation sponsored by Senators Gopal and Singleton that would expand the crime of human trafficking to include people who financially benefit from trafficking schemes and would add enhanced penalties in two categories: participants who profit from a trafficking scheme and those who traffic minors for coerced labor or services.
Chairman Stack briefly summarized committee amendments that clarify the two enhanced-penalty categories before inviting public testimony. Carol Ruiz, representing Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, testified in favor of the bill and described human trafficking as occurring in a wide range of settings beyond large events — including childcare, home health care and hair salons. Ruiz urged lawmakers to consider immigrant-protections legislation in tandem with the trafficking bill so victims feel safe reporting crimes.
"Our sporting events certainly are one of the usual, and sadly common places where human trafficking explodes," Ruiz said, adding that victims often fear contacting law enforcement because of potential federal immigration consequences. Ruiz recommended pairing S1989 with the Immigrant Trust Act (S3672) to reduce survivors’ fear of deportation and improve reporting and prosecution.
The committee noted three additional organizations that filed slips in support but did not speak: the Associated Builders and Contractors, Volunteers of America, and the New Jersey Catholic Conference. Senator Gopal moved the bill with the offered committee amendments; Senator Singleton seconded. The committee conducted a roll call and released S1989 to the full Senate on a unanimous vote.
Next steps: S1989 will be considered by the full Senate in its voting session later the same day. The committee did not record a floor-level fiscal analysis during the hearing; the bill text and amendments will govern the precise penalty structure and applicability if enacted.
