Legislation Disqualifies Rideshare Drivers Who Were Convicted of Human Trafficking Crimes
Seeking to expand existing efforts to combat human trafficking, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Dan Benson, Shama Haider and William Spearman was signed into law Monday to establish a lifetime disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicles or transportation network company vehicles for anyone convicted of human trafficking.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. These horrific crimes, which rely on the exploitation of the most vulnerable populations for personal or commercial gain, are a form of modern-day slavery.
Upon the bill (A-3089) becoming law, Assembly sponsors Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex), Haider (D-Bergen) and Spearman (D-Camden, Gloucester) issued the following joint statement:
“Human trafficking is a deplorable, inhumane crime that violates basic human dignity. To be robbed of one’s freedoms and sold into modern-day slavery is unthinkable, and we must do everything possible to prevent these crimes in New Jersey.
“Human traffickers often rely on commercial vehicles to transport their victims. With this new law, we can also keep individuals convicted of human trafficking from behind the wheel of rideshares. The law aims to keep New Jersey communities safe.”