Ohio Senate Passes Kunze Bill Providing Hope for Human Trafficking Survivors

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 214, sponsored by State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Dublin), which will allow survivors of human trafficking to expunge certain criminal records.

This bill expands eligibility for human trafficking survivors to apply for record expungement if they are convicted of a misdemeanor, fourth-degree felony, or fifth-degree felony and can show by clear and convincing evidence that the conviction is a result of being a victim of human trafficking.

"Traffickers often make their victims commit crimes such as theft, shoplifting, and sometimes drug trafficking,” said Kunze. “It continues to be a goal of mine to provide hope and opportunity to survivors.” 

Senate Bill 214 builds upon the work done in Senate Bill 4 which was sponsored by Kunze and passed in the 132nd General Assembly. Senate Bill 4 allows for the expungement of specific convictions including soliciting, loitering, and prostitution if survivors were forced to commit these crimes at the time they were trafficked. 

“This bill will open doors to employment, safe stable housing, family reunification, and successful, healthy community integration. This legislation is crucial to the life and well-being of survivors and the fight against human trafficking.”

Senate Bill 214 now heads to the Ohio House for consideration. 

If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 — or text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733)