Modern Slavery News Round-Up

Human trafficking Measure Heads to Gov. Bobby Jindal

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Senate unanimously approved legislation creating a separate crime for aiding or knowingly benefiting from human trafficking.  The penalties for someone convicted of aiding or knowingly benefiting from trafficking would be the same as for the person who directly carries out the trafficking.  The bill has been sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is expected to sign it into law Hotel to Train Employees to Spot Signs of Human Trafficking.

Millennium Hotel partnering with Covering House to train its employees to spot the signs of human trafficking
The Millennium Hotel in St. Louis is partnering with a local advocacy group to train its employees to spot signed of human trafficking.  "We're going to train all of our staff on the awareness of human trafficking, the signs to look for," said Dominic Smart, general manager of The Millennium.  Some of the red flags covered in the training include signs of abuse, lots of traffic in and out of rooms and people checking in with no luggage.  The hotel has plans sign a formal anti-trafficking pledge, but has already begun the training process.

Sexual-slavery bills aid minors around Tennessee
Tennessee lawmakers approved a series of bills designed to curb human trafficking in the state.  Police will now return minors engaged in prostitution to their parents or guardians rather than subjecting them to arrest.  Cars, homes and other property used in sex trafficking will now be subject to forfeiture.  The crime of paying for sex with a minor or mentally disabled person has increased penalties, changed from a misdemeanor to a felony.  The property forfeiture change is expected to offset a portion of the costs of increased prison terms.   The bills were signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam on June 7th.