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AG Kilmartin Legislation Would Require Convicted Human Traffickers to Register as Sex Offenders

Legislation filed at the request of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin would require individuals convicted of human trafficking offenses to register as sex offenders. The bill, S0926, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D - District 01, Providence), is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Judiciary today.

Specifically, the act would add sex trafficking of a minor, trafficking of persons for forced labor or commercial sexual activity, and involuntary servitude where the victim was subject to commercial sexual activity to the list of registerable offenses under the State's sex offender registration and community notification statute. These amendments ensure that those persons who are convicted of these offenses must register as a sex offender for a period of years and are subject to the provisions requiring different levels of community notification. Federal law and the laws of a majority of the states require sexual offender registration of this nature.

"Unfortunately, incidents of human trafficking of both minor and adult victims have been increasing at alarming rates in Rhode Island and nationally. Forcing a minor into commercial sexual activity or forcing an adult into commercial sexual activity by force, coercion or intimidation, I believe, is one of the most inhumane sexual offenses that can be committed. Requiring an offender of this appalling crime to register as a sexual offender can help put our community on notice of his or her presence and, hopefully, protect future victims," said Attorney General Kilmartin.

"Human trafficking is a heinous crime that only a very depraved individual would commit. The purpose of the sex offender registry is to alert neighbors so they can protect themselves and their families from danger, and this type of offender is certainly someone about whom neighbors should be aware. We must eliminate trafficking in our state, so we should be focused on preventing those who do it from reoffending. The sex offender registry is one way to prevent traffickers from making contact with new potential victims, so it's another tool in the battle against this crime," Majority Whip Goodwin.

Companion legislation in the House is sponsored by Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr. (D – District 32, North Kingstown)

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