MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A bill sponsored by Alabama Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia) that will add a safe harbor provision to Alabama’s laws for children exploited in sexual slavery has gained wide bipartisan support, garnering 61 co-sponsors in the House.
HB455, titled the Alabama Human Trafficking Safe Harbor Act, will protect exploited minors from being convicted under prostitution laws and ensure they have access to shelter, health care, and mental health counseling through the juvenile court system.
“I introduced HB433 to protect children who are victims of human trafficking,” said Rep. Williams. “This bill will keep minors charged with prostitution under the authority of DHR and out of the courts, ensuring the state treats them as victims not criminals.”
To pay for the health care and counseling provided by the law, an additional fine of $500 will be levied on those convicted of human trafficking in the state.
The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, established by Governor Robert Bentley (R-AL) in 2014, has endorsed the legislation. Rep. Williams is the chair of the task force.
According to the task force, 80 percent of the victims of human trafficking victims are female, and the average age of when they are first trafficked is 11-14.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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