ATLANTA (April 2, 2015) | The Georgia State Senate gave final approval to changes incorporated by the House of Representatives on two companion bills aimed at halting the sexual exploitation of minors in Georgia. Senate Bill 8 extends the statute of limitations in order to bring more severe punishments to those capitalizing on the innocence of a child and establishes a fund for victims of sex trafficking. Senate Resolution 7 provides the funding mechanism for the Commission established in Senate Bill 8 by increasing the penalties for several sexual abuse and sex trafficking crimes. Rep. Tom Weldon (R – Ringgold) carried the legislation in the House for the bill’s original sponsor, Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford).
“I am so proud of the House and Senate for taking a stand and saying that our state will not condone making a profit off of corruption and the innocence of children. We will help rebuild the lives of sex trafficking victims through rehabilitation, not punishment, and we will fight tirelessly to protect those who cannot protect themselves. A ‘safe harbor’ provision will enable this to occur,” said Sen. Unterman.
Senate Bill 8 extends the statute of limitations for child sex trafficking victims from the age of 23 to the age of 25 for actions committed on or after July 1, 2015. The legislation also outlines the operation of the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and Commission, including the remittance of fees for criminal penalties and the operation of adult entertainment establishments. An additional penalty of $2,500 in cases where the victim was 18 or older at the time of the violation will be imposed on offenders, while adult entertainment establishments where alcohol is sold or consumed will be charged an annual fee equal to one percent of the previous year’s gross revenue or $5,000, whichever is greater. The Fund will be a separate entity of the state treasury, and will be used to provide care, rehabilitative services, residential housing, health services, and social services to sexually exploited children through persons or programs.
Individuals who were less than 18 years of age at the time of conduct and who were acting under force or coercion, in violation of other provisions of the law, will not be found guilty of a sexual crime. Additionally, the legislation will also require offenders convicted of sex trafficking to register with the State Sexual Offender Registry.
Senate Resolution 7 sets the framework for the constitutional amendment necessary to impose additional penalties on offenders and set the state regulatory fees on adult entertainment establishments to fund the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund. The proposed amendment on the November 2016 ballot would allow the Georgia General Assembly to set additional penalties or fees in cases where a person is found guilty of severe sex crimes, including keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, pandering, trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, or sexual exploitation of children.
Senate Bill 8 and Senate Resolution 7 will now transfer to the Governor’s office for his signature.
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For Immediate Release:
April 2, 2015
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028