Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It’s an evil business, one that largely operates underground. Its victims are real and have to live with the dire consequences. And it happens right here in Pennsylvania – in our cities, in our small towns and on our many highways.
We can take the next step to ending human trafficking and go after the demand, updating and strengthening our laws against the buyers, whose actions victimize young women, most of whom are between 12- and 14-years-old.
That’s what the Buyer Beware Act is all about. House Bill 12 and Senate Bill 60 would do three things:
1. Increase criminal charges.
- Trafficking becomes a first-degree felony (currently a second-degree felony if the victim is an adult), doubling the maximum amount of jail time for victims 18 and over.
- Patronizing victims of trafficking becomes a first-degree felony (currently a second-degree felony), doubling the maximum amount of jail time.
2. Increase subsequent fines.
- Fines increase from $500 (current law) to $1,000 – $30,000, and if the victim is a minor it increases to $5,000 – $100,000.
3. Expand the definitions of the offense.
- Adds “advertises” and “patronizes” to definition of trafficking (would mirror federal law).
- Adds “should have known” or “recklessly disregards” to the definition of patronizing a victim of trafficking.Please use this form to email your State Senator and State Representative to ask them for their support and co-sponsorship of the Buyer Beware Act, House Bill 12 and Senate Bill 60, and let’s take this next step towards ending human trafficking here in Pennsylvania.
Please contact your State Senator and State Representative today and ask for their support and co-sponsorship of the Buyer Beware Act. Use our Citizen Action Alert to send an email to your elected officials at pafamily.org/buyerbeware
