Representative Bird is a proud co-sponsor of House Bill 377, also known as the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, which will increase criminal penalties for human trafficking, kidnapping, and abduction.
Ohio has the fourth-highest number of reported cases of human trafficking in the nation. Of those cases, more than 97% involved sex trafficking. Currently, Ohio law only allows a prison term between 10 to 15 years for a person who has been convicted of human trafficking. House Bill 377 increases the penalties for human trafficking up to the potential of life in prison.
If the victim is an adult, the legislation will increase the penalties to a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum term of life imprisonment. If the victim is a minor, the prison term would be increased to a minimum term of twenty-five years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.
The legislation is awaiting assignment to a House committee.
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