Working with the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles, I recently co-led an educational salon about human trafficking and met with Assemblymember Gatto to discuss this issue. This month, two bills that will help trafficking victims have the opportunity to come before the California State Senate for a vote. It is important that Californians call their representatives and ask them to support these bills. The bills are AB 1761 and AB 1762. AB 1761, which creates a defense for human trafficking victims when arrested for non-violent offenses directly related to their trafficking, is currently in the California State Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 1762, which ensures that trafficking survivors do not face long-term barriers to employment and housing by vacating convictions for crimes they were forced to commit when trafficked, is in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File.
Learn more about these bills and NCJW/LA’s efforts to help trafficking victims HERE.