Surprisingly,Ohio is in the top percentage of Human Trafficking cases in the Country at Number 7, larger states like Texas, New York, Florida, and California top the list. Ohio isn’t too far away. Now State Representatives want stiffer penalties for those suspects.
State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) is voicing strong support for new legislation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking in Ohio. On Wednesday, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, which significantly increases penalties for crimes related to human trafficking, kidnapping, and abduction.
Ohio remains among the states with the highest number of reported human trafficking cases, most of which involve sex trafficking. Under current state law, individuals convicted of human trafficking face 10 to 15 years in prison. The newly passed legislation would raise the minimum sentence to 15 years.
“Human trafficking is a brutal crime that has no place in Ohio,” said Rep. Pizzulli. “This legislation sends a strong message to traffickers – Ohio will not tolerate this crime.”
The bill also strengthens protections for particularly vulnerable victims. Individuals convicted of trafficking minors or persons with developmental disabilities would face enhanced sentences of 25 years to life in prison under the proposed law.
House Bill 47 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further debate and consideration.
