(TRENTON) – The General Assembly voted yesterday on Bill A1222, sponsored by Assembly Democrats, Eliana Pintor Marin, Raj Mukherji, and Ellen Park, advancing the legislation. This bill would hold individuals who have profited from human trafficking accountable, expanding on the current statue providing for human trafficking civil actions.
The bill recognizes the necessity to go beyond the immediate offenders and target those who enable or benefit from such criminal activities. It is currently a second-degree crime for a person to provide services, resources, or assistance with the knowledge that the services, resources, or assistance are intended to be used in furtherance of the commission of the crime of human trafficking. By broadening the scope of civil actions to include anyone who profited from the offence, whether or not they “acted in concert” with the offender, the legislation takes a critical step towards dismantling the financial incentives that fuel human trafficking.
“With A1222, we aim to hold those profiting from human trafficking accountable, ensuring justice for victims and sending a clear message that exploitation will not go unchecked in our state,” said Assemblywoman Pintor Marin (D-Essex). “We are telling those who have acted in concert with the main perpetrators that enough is enough. It is a significant step towards eradicating this heinous crime in our communities.”
This bill calls attention to the damage caused by human trafficking and aims to cast a wide net to hold anyone involved in the exploitative acts accountable for their actions. The General Assembly’s vote reinforces the commitment New Jersey has made in safeguarding human rights and delivering justice for victims.
“Expanding on current law, this broader scope allows New Jersey to combat human trafficking networks, not just perpetrators,” said Assemblyman Mukherji (D-Hudson). “By allowing civil actions against these enablers, the legislation creates a powerful disincentive, sending a clear message that profiting from human suffering will not go unpunished.”
“By recognizing that human trafficking goes beyond those “acting in concert” and can include a wider range of conspiring parties, the bill reflects our growing understanding of this crime,” said Assemblywoman Park (D-Bergen). “This is a crucial step in staying ahead of traffickers and their enablers, and fighting for the victims.”
The bill received a vote of 72-0