Schaffer and Yost Announce New Bill As Part of Ohio's Fight Against Human Trafficking

COLUMBUS— State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) today was joined by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and State Representatives Jena Powell (R-Arcanum), Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) for a press conference announcing new legislation that addresses the human trafficking crisis in Ohio. The soon-to-be introduced bill will create new sections in the Ohio Revised Code. A major step in this fight will be the creation of a statewide database of those who are engaging in prostitution in public. This will be made possible through a $190,000 appropriation to the Ohio Attorney General’s office over the biennium from the State of Ohio General Revenue Fund (GRF). It will also establish new laws and punishments for those who are convicted of engaging in, soliciting, or earning anything of value from prostitution. "This will give our state the resources it needs in the fight to stop human trafficking. The objective of this bill is to target all aspects of prostitution to ensure that we punish those who are fueling this humanitarian crisis,” said Schaffer. “I appreciate Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s initiative and support on this issue.”

“Basic economics works under the premise of supply and demand – and right now we have a demand problem in Ohio,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “Our goal is to reduce the demand and in return rescue victims from this modern-day slavery. Making that a reality starts by unmasking and penalizing those who buy sex or profit from human trafficking.”

The newly proposed legislation will be introduced in the Ohio Senate later this week and has companion legislation being introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Watch coverage of today’s press conference here.