You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Street GRACE. You may unsubscribe at any time. Thank you for your support of the Street GRACE ministry. HB 200 Passed: You did it! We had a great turn-out today at the Capitol. Thank you to everyone who came on such short notice, wearing their purple scarves. We were all a part of a landmark event: House Bill 200, carried by Senator Renee Unterman and Representative Ed Lindsey, passed unanimously out of the Senate with no amendments or objections! Please send an email to your Senator to thank him or her for voting YES to HB 200. We echo Sen. Unterman's sentiment that this bill marks a profound change in the climate surrounding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). We have gone from being unable to talk about this issue to passing significant legislation about it. House Bill 200 should be signed into law by Governor Deal in the next few weeks. We will keep you informed as to the exact date. Congratulations to everyone who has fought for the success of this bill. You did it! Today is a huge achievement in the battle against CSEC. HB 200 RECAP Improving the Lives of Trafficking Victims by: §          Recognizing that victims of forced sexual servitude should not be treated as criminals and providing an affirmative defense to such victims for sexual crimes. §          Allowing human trafficking victims to receive Crime Victims Compensation Funds to reimburse them for medical bills and couseling expenses. §           Requiring training for law enforcement on addressing human trafficking, appropriate detention for victims and assistance available to victims. Improving Accountibility for Traffickers by: §          Increasing penalties for trafficking, including 10-20 years in prison where the victim is over 18 years old and 25-50 years or life in prison in cases involving victims under 18 years of age.  A fine up to $100,00 may also be imposed in all trafficking cases. §          Allowing the property of traffickers to be forfeited under Georgia’s RICO statute. §          Changing penalties for pimping, pandering, and keeping a place of prostitution if the victim is a minor.  For cases involving a 16 or 17 year old, the crime is a felony punishable by 5-10 years in prison and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000.  If the victim is under 16, the crime is a felony punishable by 10-30 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. §          Striking a balance between the need to treat victims of human trafficking as victims, rather than criminals, and the criminal justice system’s need to maintain a tool to address prostitution. Share the News! Forward this email to a friend. You may unsubscribe at any time. Ga. Senate Votes for Tougher Sex Traffic Laws Updated: Tuesday, 29 Mar 2011, 12:59 PM EDT Published : Tuesday, 29 Mar 2011, 12:59 PM EDT ATLANTA (AP) - The Senate has unanimously approved legislation that overhauls the way Georgia treats sex traffickers by imposing higher fines and stiffer sentences while also offering new treatment options to people who could be victims of the sex slave trade. The measure was approved 54-0 on Tuesday, capping a four-year push on the issue. The bill now heads to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature. The legislation calls for a 25-year minimum sentence for those convicted of using coercion to traffic someone under the age of 18, and slaps a minimum sentence of five years on those who pay for sex with a 16-year-old. People trying to have sex from someone even younger face at least 10 years behind bars.

 

 

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