Article archive / April 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 8. Source pages: 4.
In his opening speech to the legislature, Governor Jindal announced the human trafficking bill is part of his list of priorities for this legislative session.
In a March 11 press release the Governor said human trafficking occurs when a person is forced to provide commercial services against her will, often related to sex – and it is occurring at alarming rates in Louisiana. According to an analysis done by Shared Hope International, Baton Rouge ranks in the top 10 cities in the nation for human trafficking. The Governor said this proposed legislation will punish criminals to the fullest extent of the law and it will provide victims more tools for further protection.
State Representative Abramson, New Orleans, announced he is filing legislation (HB1025) that will advance Louisiana’s human trafficking laws and create harsher punishments and better tools for cracking down on human trafficking and commercial sex related offenses, according to the announcement.
The legislation targets those purchasing sex by creating the crime of “unlawful purchase of commercial sexual activity” and requiring a person who commits this crime with a minor to register as a sex offender. It expands the present crimes of human trafficking and trafficking of children for sexual purposes to include the act of receiving, isolating, and enticing another person in order to engage in sexual services or labor.
HB 569 filed by Representative Julie Stokes authorizes district courts to designate a section or division of court for human trafficking courts.
This legislation requires that these human trafficking courts emphasize training for judges on the issues involved in human trafficking and specialize in hearing cases involving prostitution related offenses for the purpose of identifying victims.
Rep. Stokes said, “HB569 authorizes district courts to designate a section or division of court for human trafficking courts where they deem that it would be beneficial to do so. The purpose of trafficking court is education. Human trafficking victims are often prosecuted as offenders when the real need of the victim is rescue, restoration, and rehabilitation.”
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