HARRISBURG – Continuing efforts to combat human trafficking throughout the Commonwealth, PA Senators Cris Dush (R-25), Maria Collett (D-12) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) have officially introduced legislation that would remove the third-party control requirement to ensure that minors who are human trafficking victims have full access to appropriate services and support.

Under current Pennsylvania law, a minor that is exploited for commercial sex must identify a third party to be considered a victim of human trafficking.

“Sexually exploited children who have been subjected to immeasurable emotional and physical trauma should never have to identify their human trafficking perpetrator to justify or obtain the services that they desperately need,” emphasized Dush. “This combined legislative effort seeks to remove these unfortunate and unnecessary barriers that frequently preclude minors who are human trafficking victims from receiving the necessary relief and resources for restoration and healing.”

Sponsored by Senator Dush, Senate Bill 44 would remove third-party control from Titles 18 and 23 of the Pennsylvania criminal code. Senator Collett’s Senate Bill 45 would eliminate the third-party control requirement to access victim services under the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act (Act 197 of 2012).

“Human trafficking is increasingly prevalent in the United States, with Pennsylvania reporting among the highest number of cases in the country,” said Senator Collett. “Survivors of human trafficking in our Commonwealth should not have to wait until investigators identify a suspected perpetrator to access victim services. To ensure victims become survivors, early interventions like counseling, housing supports, childcare, legal assistance, and other supports are a must to begin the process of healing while the wheels of justice turn.”

Additionally, this package of bills would expand the authority already granted to officers appearing undercover as minors in Title 18. If passed, undercover law enforcement would be able to pose as a third party selling a minor into sexual exploitation.

“The General Assembly must build on its success of Act 1 of 2020 to fight human trafficking in every corner of the state and ensure that criminals are prosecuted,” Phillips-Hill said. “We need to support victims of human trafficking by removing barriers that prevent the most vulnerable child victims from getting the critical support services they need.” 

According to the national human trafficking hotline, Pennsylvania currently ranks as the 9^th highest state for reported human trafficking cases. During the past five years, charges have been filed in more than 870 human trafficking cases statewide.

CONTACTS

For Senator Dush:  Ty McCauslin, Communications Director at 717-787-7084 or tmccauslin@pasen.gov.

For Senator Collett:  Bailey Landis, Communications Director at  215-688-0493 or Bailey.Landis@pasenate.com.

HARRISBURG – Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) has introduced legislation seeking to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour by 2026, beginning with $11 per hour on Jan. 1, 2024, and permanently index it to inflation thereafter.

Said Laughlin: “I have heard from my constituents and have listened to both sides of the political aisle. Pennsylvania has not seen the minimum wage increase since it was hiked at the federal level in 2009. On average, a worker who earns minimum wage will only earn $15,000 per year. Due to the rising costs, workers are unable to pay for basic necessities and forced to rely on public assistance. It is time we address the issue and I believe this bill is the most responsible way to approach it.”

Senate Bill 743 also includes language to set the tipped wage in Pennsylvania to 40% of the minimum wage as previously established in Pennsylvania Code Title 34, Chapter 231.34. Until 1996, increases in the tipped wage corresponded with increases in the minimum wage. Since that time, Pennsylvania’s tipped wage has remained $2.83 per hour.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, thirty states have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Fifteen states have or will have their minimum wage increase tied to the Consumer Price Index or other similar measures to provide automatic increases with inflation. The federal tipped minimum wage has been $2.13 per hour since 1991. Currently, twenty-eight states have a higher tipped minimum wage rate above Pennsylvania’s current $2.83 per hour.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:          David Kozak            717-787-8927