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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2010
Measures Targeting Human Trafficking Continue Through Legislature
With as many as 17,000 victims of human trafficking
brought into the United States each year, those captives wind up
in every state in the nation, including Oklahoma. That’s according
to Sen. Clark
Jolley who won approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee
on Wednesday for a measure directed at human trafficking. A second
measure, by Sen. Todd
Lamb was approved by both chambers last session and is awaiting
final consideration in the 2010 session.
“These victims are brought here with the promise of legitimate
work and a better life, and then have their identification stolen
and are basically held as slaves until they can pay exorbitant fees
to their captors,” said Jolley, R-Edmond. “Their lives
and those of their families are threatened if they don’t do
what they’re told. Often the victims, including children,
are forced into prostitution.”
Jolley said Senate Bill 2258 would increase penalties in Oklahoma
related to the crime of human trafficking, such as stealing or destroying
another person’s official identification. The bill would also
get critical information to victims to help them make their way
to safety.
“This is something that’s already being done in other
states, including California. Notices are required to be posted
in establishments such as massage parlors explaining who to contact
in order to help victims safely escape their captors,” Jolley
said.
Lamb, R-Edmond, said Senate Bill 956 contains language to better
enable victims of human trafficking to bring civil actions against
their captors. While the measure won initial approval in the 2009
session, Lamb said he is continuing to refine his legislation this
session before bringing it to the floor for a final vote.
“According to the U.S. State Department, human trafficking
is now the third-largest world-wide criminal activity, behind drugs
and arms dealing,” Lamb said. “Through the years we’ve
worked to strengthen laws aimed at international drug cartels that
have made their way into Oklahoma. It’s just as important
that our state works to ensure our laws are as effective as possible
when it comes to criminals who profit from this heinous crime.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Jolley: 405-521-5622
Sen. Lamb: 405-521-5632
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