We are thrilled and celebrate the passage so far of SIX anti-trafficking bills that were a part of our legislative proposal packet submitted to legislators!

Washington will now be the first state in the nation with a law that holds companies criminally liable for advertising services that commercially sexually exploit minors.  This includes explicit or implicit offers for paid sex with a minor, according to the bill.  Read the Seattle Times article for more details.

Thank you for your support and role in the passage of all of these bills, hopefully there will be more to come in the days to come.  Here are brief summaries of the bills that have been passed:

• SB6251 We will lead the nation in criminalizing businesses who knowingly profit from advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors online.
• SB6252 To assert justice, civil litigation is an alternative to criminal liability to vindicate victims‘ rights, deter traffickers, and provide services they need through damage awards.  Since this provision does not require the alleged defendant’s criminal conviction, it is the ideal tool to assert justice.  This bill allows civil litigation for victims to sue their traffickers for compensation without requiring a criminal conviction.
• SB6257 Adds “sexually explicit act“ to the definition of human trafficking codes under RCW 9A.40.100 and RCW 9.68A.100-103. “Sexually explicit act” goes beyond the definition of commercial sex act (sexual intercourse or sexual contact) and includes “a broader range of commercial sexual acts, including activity that may be legal in the absence of coercion or the involvement of minors.” (pornography, stripping etc.)
• SB1983 & SB2692 These bills raise fines on traffickers and buyers,  and funds collected will mostly go to local jurisdictions.  At least 50% of the fund will go toward prevention and victim services, while the rest is intended to support enforcement of anti-trafficking laws.
• SB6258 Concerning unaccompanied persons