Beatty’s Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Passes Senate Judiciary Committee
Beatty's Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Passes Senate Judiciary Committee
Rep. Beatty attended markup during bill passage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan legislation led and sponsored by U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) to combat child sex trafficking was included as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, S. 178, and was unanimously reported out of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Rep. Beatty attended the Senate markup and sat in the front row during passage of the legislation. Congresswoman Beatty's legislation which would improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking, H.R. 246, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on January 26th by a vote of 411-0.
"Today, I was in the front row of the Senate Judiciary Committee as Senators passed bipartisan legislation to help bring an end to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. I thank Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley (IA) and Ranking Member Leahy (VT) for their ongoing leadership in combatting human trafficking," said Rep. Beatty. "My legislation will clarify that children who are sex trafficked or sexually exploited are treated as victims and not criminals under the law. I will continue working to stop these heinous practices and support child sex trafficking victims. Ending this practice starts with all of us—if you see something, say something."
A long-time advocate in combatting human trafficking, Rep. Beatty's legislation would reduce the instances and impacts of child sex trafficking by de-criminalizing the behavior of child sex trafficking victims and making it easier for people to report potential instances to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline. After today's Senate Judiciary Committee passage, the bill heads to the Senate floor for consideration.