The New York State Legislature has unanimously passed a landmark bill offering limited criminal immunity to individuals who are sex trafficked and come forward to report crimes or seek help.
Passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, the bill—A1029-B/S3967-B—now heads to Governor Kathy Hochul for consideration.
The legislation aims to remove a major barrier that has long discouraged sex trafficking victims from contacting law enforcement, seeking medical care, or serving as witnesses. Survivors often avoid coming forward for fear of being prosecuted themselves, even when they are victims of violent crimes.
“Fear of prosecution deters many victims of crime, including victims of sex trafficking, from seeking the help of law enforcement or health care services,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles, who sponsored the bill in the Assembly. “This common sense legislation gives immunity to sex workers for the purpose of reporting a crime or seeking health care as a result of that crime.”
Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda, who carried the legislation in the Senate, added, “No one should be afraid to report a crime or seek help because of their past or current circumstances.”
Lawmakers and advocates pointed to high-profile cases like the Gilgo Beach murders as examples of how fear of arrest has hindered investigations. “If this law had been in place sooner, it’s possible more people would have felt safe to come forward—and we might have caught the Gilgo Beach killer years ago,” said Laura Mullen, a trafficking survivor from Long Island.
The bill does not legalize prostitution. “Passing this legislation helps law enforcement and it helps these victims,” said Senator Dean Murray. “Bottom line, this will help police go after and get the pimps and the traffickers off the streets.”
New York joins nine other states with similar immunity laws, including California, Alaska, Vermont, and Washington. Legislation is pending in several more.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
