South Central PA News

Legislation introduced by Representative Rob Kauffman, aimed at aiding victims of human trafficking in filing lawsuits against their offenders, has received unanimous approval from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Kauffman emphasized the seriousness of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, stating, "Human trafficking is a heinous crime that is more prevalent in Pennsylvania than many people realize due, in part, to our location with several major East Coast highway arteries running through our state. We are continuing to update our laws to keep pace with this ever-growing crime, and my bill is just one way in which we can make it easier for victims of human trafficking to seek justice."

The current protections in the Commonwealth allow victims to file civil lawsuits against those involved in their trafficking or those who profit from or maintain them in the sex trade. These cases can be filed either where the victim resides or where the violations occurred.

Kauffman noted the importance of consistency in legal proceedings by saying, "This may seem like a small change, but this type of uniformity in the law is important."

House Bill 394 will now proceed to the state Senate for further consideration.

For assistance regarding human trafficking situations, individuals are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.