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Lawmakers Remain Tenacious in Fight to End Human Trafficking

End Demand Act passes unanimously in the House

This past June, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed Substitute House Bill 130, also known as the End Demand Act, in efforts to combat human trafficking in Ohio. The End Demand Act, as introduced by Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo), builds on the Safe Harbor Act that the General Assembly passed last year. Its main provisions were to impose tougher penalties for traffickers, increase support to law enforcement and assist trafficking victims in getting access to all necessary services. The latest bill introduced takes aim at the demand side of the crime by imposing harsher penalties on those who solicit sex from juveniles. Currently, those convicted of soliciting sex from a minor are guilty of a misdemeanor level offense. HB 130 would increase the penalty to a felony if the person solicited is a minor or has a developmental disability. A person convicted of soliciting would also be required to register as a tier II sex offender. Other important provisions to HB 130 include further measures to protect victims, such as removing the need to prove compulsion, prohibiting the purchase of advertising space of a minor for sexual activity for hire, increasing the statute of limitations from 6 to 20 years, terminating parental rights and restricting the use of massage and other related terms in advertisements by unlicensed professionals. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in the fight to end human trafficking. This bill will soon go to the Senate for consideration. Please contact your State Senator and urge them to vote in favor of Substitute House Bill 130.

State Representative John M. Rogers Contact Information

Columbus 77 South High Street, 10th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-7251 Phone Send me an e-mail: rep60@ohiohouse.gov On the Web: http://www.house.state.oh.us/

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2013 State Representative John M. Rogers