New California law makes human trafficking a state crime

Published: 2005-10-04

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law the most comprehensive legislation in the country to combat human trafficking and modern day slavery: the California Trafficking Victims' Protection Act. "Now we have a great tool to expand our efforts in this area," said Steve Cooley, Los Angeles district attorney during a Sept. 21 press conference at his downtown office shortly after the governor signed the legislation, supported by several communities of women religious. A federal law already exists against human trafficking, but Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, one of the bill's principal sponsors, said the state law would empower local police and prosecutors to get directly involved when they suspect human trafficking is taking place in their local communities. Among those who lobbied for passage of the bill were hundreds of Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary.

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