May. 25, 2021
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives approved legislation authored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Chester/Delaware) to require those convicted of human trafficking for sexual servitude to register as sex offenders in Pennsylvania.
“As a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice and a former Chief Prosecutor for the Marine Corps Reserve who successfully prosecuted a number of sexual assault and child-victim cases, I know for a fact that sexual predators are renowned repeat offenders,” Williams said. “It is critical that those convicted of sex trafficking for sexual servitude register as sex offenders, so families across Pennsylvania know who is living in their neighborhoods, in just the same way we should know about rapists and child molesters.”
Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received more than 3,700 human trafficking-related calls across Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1130 would require those convicted of human trafficking for sexual servitude or patronizing a victim of human trafficking for sexual servitude to register under the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Pennsylvania has made major efforts to combat human trafficking, especially through the enactment of an entire chapter of the Crimes Code dedicated to eradicating this scourge. But when the new human trafficking law was enacted, these specific criminal offenses were not incorporated.
“The impacts of human trafficking – especially for sexual servitude -- are vile, dangerous and devastating for our communities,” Williams said. “I want Pennsylvania families to have every tool possible to fight back against this depravity.”
The legislation now awaits consideration in the Pennsylvania Senate.
Representative Craig Williams
160th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepCraigWilliams.com /
Facebook.com/RepCraigWilliams