ATLANTA (February 12, 2015) | Two companion bills that intend to stop the sexual exploitation of minors and provide rehabilitative services to victims of sex trafficking passed the Georgia State Senate today. 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. Senate Resolution 7 provides a funding mechanism for the Commission established in SB 8 by increasing the penalties for several sexual abuse and sex trafficking crimes. Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford), a long-time advocate against trafficking crimes, is the sponsor of both Senate Bill 8 and Senate Resolution 7.
“We can no longer ignore the sex trafficking that is happening in our own backyard and that threatens the lives of children every day. While no legislation can fully eradicate the criminal networks profiting from the exploitation of children, we must continue the fight to protect our most precious citizens. With the approval of this bill and resolution, the Georgia Senate is sending a clear message to sex trafficking victims that we are doing everything we can to provide the assistance needed to rebuild their lives,” 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. This bill also incorporates federal guidelines for victim support services, increases penalties for sex trafficking, requires convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders, and allows for the forfeiture of vehicles used in trafficking and any money gained from the crimes.
The bill also creates the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund Commission. The Fund will be a separate entity of the state treasury, and funds will be used to provide care, rehabilitative services, residential housing, health services, and social services to sexually exploited children through persons or programs designated by the Commission. An additional fine of $2,500 will be imposed on defendants 18 years of age or older who are found guilty of trafficking a person for sexual servitude and other clearly defined criminal defenses; this additional fine will be deposited in the Fund.
Senate Resolution 7 provides a funding mechanism for the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund by placing a constitutional amendment for approval by Georgia voters on the 2016 ballot. The proposed amendment 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. The proposed amendment would also permit the General Assembly to impose state regulatory fees on adult entertainment establishments.
Senate Bill 8 passed by a vote of 52 to 3, and Senate Resolution 7 passed by a vote of 53 to 3. Both pieces of legislation will now transfer to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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