Georgia’s governor is pushing two changes to state law in an effort to help human trafficking victims. In a Monday news conference, Gov. Brian Kemp and First lady Marty Kemp were joined by Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) or Commission members as they announced legislative changes.
"In this legislative session, we're rolling out more legislation and reforms that will help us end human trafficking in the Peach state for good."
Measures include a bill that would make it easier for people who had been victims to change their names. Another bill would allow victims or state officials to file civil lawsuits seeking money damages against traffickers.
Marty Kemp shared the progress the GRACE Commission has made in the battle against trafficking.
"In 2020, we worked to bring stronger penalties to those convicted of human trafficking offenses including foster parents and commercial drivers. We opened the doors of our Receiving Hope Center, our state's first residential intake center for trafficked youth. Last August, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation launched a new Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit."
Kemp also says he'll seek a rule change that would require anyone earning or renewing a commercial driver’s license to take an anti-trafficking course.
The Kemps urged Georgians to use the statewide hotline unveiled in September to report incidents at 1-866-endhtga, or 1-866-842-4824.
