Published: Wednesday, December 01, 2010, 4:21 PM
Updated: Wednesday, December 01, 2010, 4:33 PM
Sen. Teresa FedorCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio likely will join 44 other states that have made human trafficking a stand-alone felony offense, now that state lawmakers agree on the need for tougher laws to address the problem.
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill today to strengthen laws against human trafficking -- a form of modern-day slavery, the bill's supports have said. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill before the end of the year.
The bipartisan measure has been one of the few issues to gain traction among lawmakers in their post-election lame-duck session.
"Slavery on American soil has yet to end," Sen. Teresa Fedor, a Toledo Democrat who championed the bill, said in a floor speech before today's 32-0 vote.
Fedor cited examples of child prostitution, and another supporter described forced labor in substandard conditions.
Ohio currently does not have laws that specifically address human trafficking. The gap in the law, Fedor said, makes it more difficult for authorities to punish and deter traffickers.
Source: cleveland.comOhio Senate passes human trafficking bill in lame-duck session | cleveland.com
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