Governor Hochul Signs Four of Senator Webb's Bills to Extend Protections Against Human Trafficking in New York State

(SENATE DISTRICT 52) In a victory for the fight against human trafficking, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a comprehensive package of legislation into law, including four vital bills sponsored by Senator Lea Webb. These measures, designed to bolster protections against human trafficking across New York State, reaffirm the government's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and raising awareness about available resources.

Senator Webb, who serves as the Chair of the Women's Issues Committee in the Senate, has been a driving force behind these crucial legislative efforts. Her bills, now enshrined in law, ensure that transportation hubs throughout the state prominently display information aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking, providing them with access to essential support services.

The four bills sponsored by Senator Lea Webb and included in this transformative legislative package are:

• S.4263/A.3227: This legislation mandates that Port Authority airports provide information that can be invaluable to human trafficking victims, making it accessible in lactation rooms.
• S.4267/A.4669: Port Authority bus terminals are now required to offer information about services available to human trafficking victims in lactation rooms.
• S.6213/A.4264: Truck stops are now obligated to post critical information for victims of human trafficking in their lactation rooms.
• S.6214/A.4265: Commercial service airports must now prominently display information about human trafficking services in their lactation rooms.

Governor Hochul stated, "Human trafficking is a nightmare no one should have to experience - even one victim is too many. I am proud to sign this legislation to protect the thousands of individuals who fall victim to human trafficking, and I want to thank my partners in the legislature for their work in getting these bills through to the finish line."

"As Chair of the Women's Issues Committee in the New York State Senate, I was proud to sponsor these bills to aid in the fight against human trafficking,” said Senator Lea Webb. “This legislation will ensure information regarding services for human trafficking victims is posted in heavily visited locations that may serve as gateways for traffickers passing through with their victims, including lactation rooms in New York's commercial airports and truck stops. It is imperative that we work together to address the issues of human trafficking of vulnerable New Yorkers, ensuring that victims can safely access help and find resources without fear of retaliation."

In addition to these essential legislative measures, Governor Kathy Hochul also signed into law an expansion of the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, broadening its membership and length of duty to enhance its effectiveness. Furthermore, Governor Hochul announced the allocation of $2.3 million to contractors providing services to survivors and victims of human trafficking across the state.

For more information about this package of legislation, please visit [HERE].