Senate Passes Legislation Helping Human Trafficking Victims Reclaim Their Lives
May 17, 2017
Steve Wilson News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) today announced the passage of legislation aimed at providing common sense criminal justice reforms to give victims of human trafficking an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
The legislation complements a series of bills passed over the last several years focusing on the eradication of human trafficking through better enforcement, increased penalties for perpetrators and greater public awareness.
"Victims of these heinous crimes should not be further punished by our judicial system,” said Wilson. “Senate Bill 4 offers these individuals a clean slate as they attempt to reclaim their lives and independence.”
Convictions stemming from coerced behavior, such as prostitution, can negatively impact the victim's ability to apply for a job or seek permanent housing. A defendant’s information is still accessible as a court record even when the individual was found not guilty, or the case was dismissed.
Senate Bill 4 offers hope for human trafficking victims. If an individual commits certain crimes as a result of his or her victimization, this legislation would allow for expungement of those offenses from the victim's criminal record.
Additionally, the bill would permit victims of compelled prostitution to apply for intervention in lieu of conviction, an option that is afforded to human trafficking victims under current law.
Investing in Safer Schools
The Senate also passed legislation today providing Ohio's school districts a new, alternative option for accessing state support for facility needs like technology infrastructure, safety features or additional classroom space for a growing student population.
Senate Bill 8 creates a new 1:1 match option for schools that have not yet received any state support or entered into an agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which is approximately 229 districts.
Since 1997, Ohio has dedicated more than $11.5 billion in state aid to update and improve school facilities across the state.
Both Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 8 now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
The legislation complements a series of bills passed over the last several years focusing on the eradication of human trafficking through better enforcement, increased penalties for perpetrators and greater public awareness.
"Victims of these heinous crimes should not be further punished by our judicial system,” said Wilson. “Senate Bill 4 offers these individuals a clean slate as they attempt to reclaim their lives and independence.”
Convictions stemming from coerced behavior, such as prostitution, can negatively impact the victim's ability to apply for a job or seek permanent housing. A defendant’s information is still accessible as a court record even when the individual was found not guilty, or the case was dismissed.
Senate Bill 4 offers hope for human trafficking victims. If an individual commits certain crimes as a result of his or her victimization, this legislation would allow for expungement of those offenses from the victim's criminal record.
Additionally, the bill would permit victims of compelled prostitution to apply for intervention in lieu of conviction, an option that is afforded to human trafficking victims under current law.
Investing in Safer Schools
The Senate also passed legislation today providing Ohio's school districts a new, alternative option for accessing state support for facility needs like technology infrastructure, safety features or additional classroom space for a growing student population.
Senate Bill 8 creates a new 1:1 match option for schools that have not yet received any state support or entered into an agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which is approximately 229 districts.
Since 1997, Ohio has dedicated more than $11.5 billion in state aid to update and improve school facilities across the state.
Both Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 8 now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration.