Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation Heads to Governor

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) today announced the Ohio legislature has approved House Bill 431, legislation that protects child sex trafficking survivors and enacts the offense of engaging in prostitution.

“As a former police officer, I’ve seen firsthand how sexual activity for hire destroys the lives of many young women who have fallen victim to prostitution,” said Abrams. “Giving Ohio minors the protections they deserve will advance our efforts to tackle human trafficking in our state.”

H.B. 431 eliminates Ohio’s current two-tiered system in child sex trafficking laws. Under current law, prosecutors are required to demonstrate fraud, force or coercion for 16 or 17-year-old trafficking victims in order to qualify for protections available to other minors. The bill removes this requirement and brings Ohio law into compliance with federal law.

Among other provisions, the legislation also enacts the offense of engaging in prostitution in which a person is prohibited from recklessly inducing, enticing or procuring another to engage in sexual activity for hire. Under the bill, the offense is a first degree misdemeanor, and the offender is required to attend an education or treatment program and may pay a fine up to $1,500.

The House concurred today on Senate changes to the bill, which include removing a provision of the bill that requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a Sexual Exploitation Database.

The measure now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.