LANSING, Mich. -- State lawmakers in Lansing have reintroduced a package of bills to crack down on human trafficking.
At a news conference in Lansing on Wednesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was joined by Democratic State Representative Kelly Breen of Novi and Republican State Senator John Damoose of Harbor Springs in announcing bipartisan legislation to combat human trafficking.
"Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows," Nessel said. "It is modern day slavery."
The legislative package consisting of House and Senate bills would:
- Allow survivors of human trafficking to have criminal convictions set aside if those offenses were a direct result of their victimization;
- Provide an affirmative defense for survivors if a crime was committed as a consequence of being trafficked;
- Modify safe harbor protections for minors who are victims of sex and labor trafficking;
- Set criteria for expert testimony in human trafficking cases;
- Replace the term “prostitution” with “commercial sex”;
- Increase fines and sentencing guidelines for violations involving commercial sex and human trafficking;
- Expand protections for children, giving courts and child welfare systems the authority to intervene when a child is trafficked by their parent or guardian; and
- Increase penalties for trafficking offenses.
Nessel said the bills would provide important protections for survivors.
"Human trafficking can take many forms, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking is found in places you might not suspect, like convenience stores, nail salons, massage parlors, farms and restaurants.
"Those being trafficked often don't even realize they are victims or know how to get help, or they're too scared to get help," Nessel said.
The Attorney General's Office provided more information in a news release:
The mission of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, as set forth by the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act, includes:
- Identifying sources for grants that will assist in examining and countering human trafficking in this state and applying for those grants when appropriate.
- Funding research programs to determine the extent and nature of human trafficking in Michigan.
- Providing information and training regarding human trafficking to:
- Police officers
- Prosecutors
- Court personnel
- Health care providers
- Social services personnel
- Other individuals the commission considers appropriate
- Collecting and analyzing information regarding human trafficking in Michigan.
- Identifying state and local agencies within Michigan and other states, as well as within the federal government, that are involved with issues relating to human trafficking, and coordinating the dissemination of information regarding human trafficking in Michigan to those agencies.
- Reviewing existing services available to assist human trafficking victims, including crime victim assistance, health care, and legal assistance, and establishing a program to make those victims better aware of the services available to them.
- Establishing a program to improve public awareness of human trafficking.
Reviewing existing state laws and administrative rules relating to human trafficking and making recommendations to the legislature to improve those laws and rules to address human trafficking violations in Michigan.
The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission meets at the Williams Building at 525 W. Ottawa Street and its meetings are accessible remotely via Microsoft Teams. The Commission invites survivors of human trafficking, advocacy groups, law enforcement partners, and members of the public to join their upcoming meetings from noon to 1 p.m. scheduled for September 22 and November 17.
Victims of human trafficking or those who have identified someone they think may need help can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733. This is a national, toll-free hotline that is available to answer calls, texts, and chats from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. All calls are confidential. People who live in the State of Michigan who suspect human trafficking can call 855-MICH-TIP for assistance.
Additional information on the Attorney General's human trafficking initiative, including updated state laws prohibiting trafficking, is available on the Attorney General's website.
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