An Eastern Wisconsin Senator is taking aim at human trafficking.
Senator Andre Jacque of De Pere has joined forces with Assemblyman Scott Allen of Waukesha to re-introduce the Human Trafficking Prevention Act.
The measure is modeled after current law in the states of Florida and Washington and would impose a mandatory $5,000 surcharge on individuals convicted of patronizing/soliciting prostitutes or keeping a place of prostitution.
The duo note that this change “has been suggested by investigators, prosecutors and victims’ support and advocacy groups as a means to address present penalties for soliciting prostitution which provide an insufficient deterrent.”
The federal government acknowledges the link between prostitution and trafficking in women and children as a form of modern-day slavery.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin has become known as a major human trafficking hotspot within the Midwest, with known cases in all 72 counties and growing concern for its spread along interstate highways.
This proposal has passed committees in both legislative chambers on a unanimous or broad bi-partisan basis several times, as well as the full State Senate on a 32-0 vote during the 2019-’20 session.
Governor Tony Evers also publicly indicated his support for the identical bill in a prior session.
