State Rep. Rob Kauffman | Pennsylvania 89th Legislative District
State Rep. Rob Kauffman | Pennsylvania 89th Legislative District
The House Judiciary Committee has voted in favor of legislation proposed by Representative Rob Kauffman, who serves as the Republican chairman of the committee. The bill aims to assist victims of human trafficking by facilitating their ability to file lawsuits against offenders.
Kauffman emphasized the growing issue of human trafficking in Pennsylvania and the need for updated laws. "The crime of human trafficking continues to grow in Pennsylvania, and we need to revamp our laws to keep pace with the individuals involved in this crime and hold them accountable," he stated.
Pennsylvania's existing protections allow victims to bring civil lawsuits against those involved in their trafficking. This includes anyone who recruits, profits from, or maintains victims in the sex trade, or who abuses or physically harms them. These cases can be filed either where the victim resides or where violations occurred.
House Bill 394, previously known as House Bill 1096, proposes that all such lawsuits can be initiated either at the victim's residence or at the location of the offenses. The bill passed unanimously through the committee and will now proceed to a full House vote.
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