Rep. Costa urges enactment this year of sex trafficking legislation

1/22/2015

News

STATE HOUSE – State Representative Doreen Costa (R-District 31 North Kingstown, Exeter) led the way in 2014 to seek more stringent penalties against those who commit horrific acts of sex trafficking.

The House Judiciary Committee heard and passed Rep. Costa’s bill last April. It moved swiftly to the House floor for a vote.

“My bill (2014- H7916) won unanimous support in the House”, said Costa. “It also had the support of State Police Superintendent Col. Stephen G. O’Donnell, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers. And I thank them for that.”

“This bill needs to become law this year. I thank Senator Elaine Morgan for submitting my companion bill for Senate consideration in 2015.”

“These offenders don’t belong on our streets. We all know it and if legislation passes out of the Senate this year then we’ll be sure that offenders will now know that they’ll be spending significantly more time behind bars, where they belong.”

“Jail time for these sexual predators has changed from 40 to 50 years. Anyone found guilty of interfering with or obstructing enforcement of sex trafficking laws will now face 35 years of imprisonment rather than 20 years and the fine has increased from $20,000 to $40,000.”

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For more information, contact:
Lisa Blais, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259

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