Lanza, Malliotakis Join Colleagues and Advocates to Call for Passage of Legislation to Prevent Human Trafficking

Legislation is Part of Women’s Equality Agenda

Senator Andrew Lanza and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis Urge the Assembly to Pass Legislation to Prevent Human Trafficking

            ​​​ Sen. Andrew Lanza (R,C,I-Staten Island) and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Brooklyn, Staten Island) today joined a bipartisan group of legislators and women’s rights advocates to push for passage of legislation to prevent human trafficking. Assembly Bill 2240, the Trafficking Victims’ Protection and Justice Act, is sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Malliotakis and 106 of their colleagues. Senator Lanza is the sponsor of the bill in the Senate, where it passed unanimously last week. The measure will help end human trafficking in New York State by increasing penalties for those convicted of the crime. However, the legislation remains stalled in the Assembly as part of the larger Women’s Equality Agenda debate. 

​​            “As we’ve seen recently, human trafficking continues to be a very real issue throughout the world and remains an issue in our state,” said Malliotakis. “With only two days left in the legislative session, this legislation could have life or death implications for women across the state. Sen. Lanza fought hard to deliver this legislation unanimously in the Senate and now the Assembly should follow suit and pass this important bill.” 

            “Since we passed my human trafficking bill a year ago in the Senate, lives continue to be placed in danger while we wait for the Assembly to join us in acting. I join with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Assemblywoman Malliotakis in urging the Assembly to pass this bill immediately so that we can enhance protections for the thousands of trafficking victims in New York and hold those who exploit them accountable,” said Senator Lanza. 

            The Trafficking Victims’ Protection and Justice Act has passed the state Senate unanimously twice in the last two years. Despite bipartisan support, the bill remains in the Assembly Codes Committee at the request of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.