Pennsylvania Representative Kate True (R-Lancaster) presents human trafficking legislation to Governor Ed Rendell. True sponsored this bill and it is to be signed by Governor Rendell after an unanimous vote in the Sentate last week.
According to EveningSun.com: Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to sign a bill to crack down on human trafficking – a crime that’s often called modern-day slavery and allegedly surfaced in York County recently.
The federal government describes human trafficking as a fast-growing crime, typically with international ties, where women and children are usually the victims. They are often lured into the country with the promise of a better life.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Katie True, R-Lancaster, gathered momentum after August raids on two York County brothels. Two Korean nationals are accused of running the brothels with women who were smuggled into the country and forced into prostitution.
“They were bringing in mostly Korean girls, and pretty much they were indentured slaves, used as prostitutes to pay off the transportation and so forth into the country,” said York Area Regional Police Chief Tom Gross, whose department assisted in the case.
The government estimates that up to 800,000 people are trafficked globally each year, with up to 17,500 trafficked into the United States.
True’s bill is headed to Rendell’s desk after the House ratified it last week on a unanimous vote. The Senate approved it unanimously Oct. 18.
Rendell is “obviously supportive of the concept,” but needs to review the language in the bill before committing his signature, spokeswoman Kate Philips said.
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