Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp has introduced the state's 10th legislative measure aimed at combating human trafficking. Senate Bill 42 closes a legal loophole that could allow traffickers to receive reduced sentences under the rule of lenity.
"Georgia is a national leader in fighting human trafficking," said First Lady Kemp. "This legislation ensures offenders face appropriate penalties while securing justice for victims."
As part of Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month, the First Lady unveiled updated human trafficking awareness training for state employees, now publicly accessible on YouTube. Additionally, in collaboration with the Georgia Ports Authority and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, a public service announcement will run at the state’s ports to educate truckers on recognizing and reporting trafficking.
"Together, we can make a significant impact in combating this issue," said Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) Commissioner Rebecca Sullivan.
The latest bill championed by First Lady Kemp, SB 42 closes a critical loophole in Georgia law and ensures traffickers face the full penalty that their crimes demand. Currently, the conduct prohibited by Georgia’s human trafficking statute against minors is substantially similar to the conduct prohibited by the crime of keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, and pandering against minors. Rule of lenity, a legal principle asserting courts should apply the more favorable sentence to defendants when the law is ambiguous, could lead to judges awarding lesser sentences to offenders as a result of this loophole.