HARRISBURG – The PA Senate approved a measure aimed at helping the PA Attorney General and law enforcement more effectively target and prosecute human trafficking. Senate Bill 45 specifically increases criminal penalties for those who prey upon vulnerable people who have been groomed, manipulated and forced into prostitution. Requested and fully supported by the Attorney General’s office, the measure relocates most prostitution offenses to the human trafficking section of the state Crimes Code, enhances the penalties for several of those offenses, and places these offenses under the jurisdiction of the Office of Attorney General — giving it the ability to better combat prostitution and human trafficking across the state. The bill advances to the PA House. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
