Protections are expanded for human trafficking survivors

Survivors of human trafficking have heightened protections under legislation signed Dec, 14 by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“These bills help strengthen and increase protections for survivors of human trafficking,” Snyder said. “By holding criminals accountable for their actions, we move one step closer toward stopping this dangerous threat.”

House Bills 5542-5544, sponsored by state Reps. Laura Cox, Gary Howell and Nancy Jenkins, respectively, provide assistance to survivors of human trafficking by giving them resources to help support their recovery. The bills also increase penalties for those who commit crimes by coercing victims to engage in commercial sexual activity. The measures are now Public Acts 336-338 of 2016.

Snyder also signed two additional bills:

House Bill 4874, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Leonard, names a portion of Business Route 127 in Clinton County as the “PFC Andrew H. Nelson Memorial Highway.”  PFC Andrew Nelson was killed in action on December 25, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq after an explosive device detonated near his vehicle. It is now Public Act 339 of 2016.

Senate Bill 800, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, contains Fiscal Year 2016 and 2017 supplemental appropriations for multiple state departments and agencies. It is now Public Act 340 of 2016.

For additional information  visit www.legislature.mi.gov.