New law takes major step toward ending “scourge of human trafficking” in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – A new measure signed into law today by Governor Tom Wolf would place significant penalties on criminals who solicit or advertise the sexual services of victims of human trafficking, according to the
bill’s prime sponsor, Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York).
The new law, called the “Buyer Beware Act,” builds on recent efforts over the last few years by the General Assembly to curb human trafficking in the Commonwealth.
Lawmakers say this law flips the conversation from punishing victims labeled as prostitutes to those who sell or solicit their services.
“Today we are saying we stand with victims of human trafficking and law enforcement by providing new tools and penalties on those who seek to obtain services of victims of human trafficking as well as those who advertise those victims for sexual servitude,” Phillips-Hill said. “Human trafficking is a big business that exists in every corner of our Commonwealth and today is the big step Pennsylvania needed to take in order to shut down this devastating crime destroying so many innocent lives.”
Act 1 of 2020 will subject individuals to a first-degree felony charge if the criminal recruits, harbors, entices, transports, or advertises human trafficking victims subject to sexual servitude. The bill also significantly increases monetary penalties on criminals who patronize a victim of human trafficking as well.
First-time offenders would be subject to a fine up to $1,000, up from $500; second-time offenders would be subject to a fine between $5,000 and $25,000; and third and subsequent offenses would be subject to a fine between $10,000 and $25,000.
The measure is called the “Buyer Beware Act” due to a key provision within the law that includes a third-degree felony charge for first-time offenders who engage in sexual activity with a victim of human trafficking. Repeat offenders will be subject to first-degree felony charges. If the victim is a minor, criminals would be subject to a super felony subject to fines between $10,000 and $50,000.
The legislation was shepherded through the House of Representatives by Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks). Grove and Thomas are sponsors of the
House version of the Buyer Beware Act. Grove wrote the original proposal three years ago, which laid the groundwork for Act 1 of 2020.
“I want to thank everyone who supported the Buyer Beware Act since I first introduced it three years ago,” Grove said. “Law enforcement will now have a stronger tool in its arsenal to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking in the Commonwealth with the signing of this bill.”
“It is our duty and our moral obligation as leaders in our state to do everything we can to protect those who have been victimized and to work diligently to prevent more men, women and children from being victimized,” Thomas added. “Senate Bill 60 becoming law is a major step in that direction.”
Lawmakers believe that penalizing both those who subject these victims to sexual servitude as well as those who purchase the services of these victims will provide more tools to law enforcement in the Commonwealth.
“The Buyer Beware Act will undoubtedly ensure that victims of this heinous crime will be treated with the dignity they deserve, while holding perpetrators accountable,” York County District Attorney Dave Sunday said.
Jan Wilson, CEO and President of Sparrow Place in York County, said the new law is a major boost to anti-human trafficking efforts and survivor services organizations like hers.
“Human trafficking is a crime about economics and at its core is a business proposition. Sparrow Place commends legislators for their forethought to recognize this and address the root cause of all human sales: the human buyer,” Wilson said. “Sparrow Place supports this new law and this remarkable first step towards ending the scourge of human trafficking and continues to advocate for legislation that makes trading in human lives an untenable business decision."
Sparrow Place and the New Freedom Lions Club hosted a human trafficking awareness event this past October at the New Freedom Community Center. The forum featured many victim advocates, law enforcement as well as members of the community to educate the greater public about signs of human trafficking.
“Living along the Interstate 83 corridor, we have immense challenges when it comes to the human trafficking pipeline that funnels through our region each and every day. Act 1 will make an impact in the ongoing fight to eradicate human trafficking from the state,” Phillips-Hill added.
Revenue generated by the increased fines will go to assist in further efforts against human trafficking across the state through funding programs including Prevention of Human Trafficking restricted account and the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund.
The new law goes into effect in 60 days.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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