Garden State Times

Today, Senator Doug Steinhardt (R-23) announced his intention to sponsor a package of bills aimed at combating human trafficking and preventing child exploitation.

“Human trafficking is one of the worst banes of our society and we must take every step possible to ensure no one is subjected to the horrors it sows,” said Sen. Steinhardt. “These bills will not only establish clear and harsh penalties for those who exploit our children, but it will also establish a robust public information program to educate people on the indescribable harm human trafficking does to its victims and our communities.”

Highlights from Sen. Steinhardt’s bill package include:

- Increasing penalties for human trafficking of children.

- Requiring the Attorney General to establish an educational and public information program concerning State and federal crimes of human trafficking.

- Directing the State Commission on Investigation to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business.

- Providing resources to state agencies to raise awareness and combat human trafficking.

Additionally, Sen. Steinhardt introduced the "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act" in May that would make it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, lease, or distribute a product that makes content accessible on the Internet unless the product contains digital blocking capability that makes any exploitative material inaccessible.