House Bill 3 aims to combat human trafficking in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – A bill in the Kentucky House of Representatives aims to fight human trafficking in the commonwealth.

House Bill 3 was introduced on Feb. 26 and as of March 2, is waiting to be picked up by a committee.

The bill is sponsored by six republicans, including Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles (R-Owensboro), who said the bill builds on prior human trafficking-related legislation.

“We needed to do a little bit of cleanup to kind of keep moving forward to protect Kentuckians,” said Rep. Miles.

HB3 would expand the definition of human trafficking and gives the Office of the Attorney General the ability to form a working group to address all aspects of human trafficking.

“We continue to circle back to that and see what tools they need to make sure that they can charge these people, go after these people with the fullest extent of the law,” said Rep. Miles.

The Kentucky Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force’s 2024 report provided recommendations to improve state anti-trafficking work.

“These sorts of things aren’t necessarily what most of the public thinks about that are important for human trafficking,” said Dr. Glenn Harden, assistant professor at Asbury University and chair of the tasks force’s data and research working group. “We often think about law enforcement or helping survivors or prevention.”

Dr. Harden said the bill seems to follow a few of the recommendations, such as increasing the capability for comprehensive anti-trafficking work and focusing on proactive law enforcement efforts. He also said combatting human trafficking goes beyond the work of law enforcement.

“[Stakeholders] also include people who are working with survivors, they include healthcare workers, education, academics, there’s a whole realm of different sectors that are involved in anti-trafficking work in Kentucky,” he said.

In 2020, Rep. Miles cosponsored House Bill 2, which added offenses to what qualifies as a sex crime. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers and received Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature.

Rep. Miles said she has a similar feeling about this year’s HB3.

“This is one of those topics that anyone and everybody is very supportive [of] except for the criminals that are involved in it.” she said.

Another part of HB3 that Rep. Miles said is important is making sure trafficking victims have access to resources available for help. The bill would require places like hotels, bus station and airports to post signs or window clings with that information.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, help can be found through the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888).

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