Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today urged the Assembly leadership to bring forward legislation that would prevent human trafficking. Assembly Bill 2240, the Trafficking Victims’ Protection and Justice Act, is sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, McDonough and 106 of their colleagues. The measure will help end human trafficking in New York State by increasing penalties for those convicted of the crime.

“As our time winds down in Albany, passage of this bipartisan legislation is critical if we want to call this session a success,” said McDonough. “Recently, people across the world got a firsthand look at the devastating consequences of human trafficking. I want to thank Assemblywoman Paulin for her hard work on this subject. I strongly urge Speaker Silver and the Assembly Majority leadership to bring this bill to the floor immediately for a vote before we adjourn.”

Last week, the bill passed in the Senate unanimously for the second straight year. However, the legislation remains stalled in the Assembly as part of the larger Women’s Equality Agenda debate. Despite bipartisan support, the bill remains in the Assembly Codes Committee at the request of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.