Albany, NY- On Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, Chief Meredith McGovern attended the “Compassion in Action” Press Conference at the New York State Capital in Albany. “Compassion in Action” is the theme of the NYS Assembly Minority Task Force on Human Trafficking & Exploitation, formed by New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay co-chaired by NYS District 101’s Assemblyman Brian Maher and NYS District 112’s Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. The leaders recognized the need to better coordinate the anti-trafficking efforts at the regional and state levels. After many months of public forums, special meetings, and speaking with human trafficking survivors, social workers, law enforcement, prosecutors, educators, and local officials, the task force released their full report detailing their extensive dive into the horrific crime of human trafficking in New York State.
The task force’s recommended solutions include supportive housing, temporary shelter with transitional services, increased and additional funding with amendments to the current programs, and adding more victim services, programs, and protections. Sheriff Arteta supported the Assembly’s task force, saying, “Law enforcement throughout the state is working diligently against human trafficking, but many of the criminal justice reforms of 2019 and 2020 impede our efforts and keep victims in danger. While well-meaning, many of these law changes do more to help perpetrators than help the victims of these crimes,” he continued, saying, “New York lawmakers must make substantive changes to these laws so we can make significant headway in helping curb human trafficking.”
On the law enforcement end, the task force is attacking the issues Bail Reform, Raising the Age, and discovery laws have on remanding offenders, holding them accountable during prosecution, and preventing re-offending. Sheriff Arteta stressed the importance and need to expand human trafficking training in law enforcement to improve officers’ ability to recognize, respond to, and assist victims of this heinous crime.
The committee’s report recommends addressing bail-eligible offenses, judicial discretion, and the ability to remand offenders. In addition, they seek to extend discovery periods and protect witnesses in criminal prosecutions. They are seeking to enact many bills that will address law enforcement needs in combating human trafficking and exploitation in New York State. Assemblyman Maher stressed, “Over the last year, our task force traveled around the state meeting with more than 200 stakeholders and organizations to educate ourselves and provide recommendations related to the issue of human trafficking. This pervasive issue is prevalent in every corner of the state, even right here in Orange County. I want to thank Sheriff Arteta and Chief McGovern for their leadership on this issue. The release of this report is just the beginning. There is so much work to be done.”
The full report detailing the NYS Assembly Minority Task Force on Human Trafficking & Exploitation’s findings recommended solutions, and agenda can be found online at https://www.nygoppolicy.com/humantrafficking.
