State Rep. Wendell Craig Williams | Pennsylvania 160th Legislative District
State Rep. Wendell Craig Williams | Pennsylvania 160th Legislative District
Legislation aimed at combatting sex trafficking, advocated by Representative Craig Williams, has successfully passed the House and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Tom Wolf. Williams urged the governor to sign the bill into law, stating, "I urge the governor sign this into law to protect our children."
Senate Bill 118, led by Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, complements Williams' earlier House Bill 1130. The legislation mandates that sex traffickers and individuals soliciting human trafficking victims register as sex offenders under Pennsylvania's Megan’s Law.
Williams highlighted his experience as a former federal prosecutor and Chief Prosecutor for the Marine Corps Reserve in prosecuting sexual assault and child-victim cases. He emphasized the importance of Megan's Law in protecting potential victims from known sex offenders: “But to be effective, Megan’s Law must be routinely updated to include sex offenders not included under the law’s original language.”
Since 2007, Pennsylvania has reported nearly 1,000 human trafficking cases statewide. In 2019, it ranked fourth nationally for active criminal human trafficking cases in federal courts and convictions.
The average age of children forced into sex slavery through trafficking is twelve years old. Megan's Law aims to protect the public by tracking convicted sexual offenders and notifying communities about their presence.
Williams stated that while sexual predators are repeat offenders known to authorities, human traffickers operate clandestinely across Pennsylvania: “That’s why it is especially important that we shine a light on those convicted of sex trafficking by requiring them to register as sex offenders."
Representative Craig Williams160th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267-207-0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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