Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today he was pleased the Assembly finally passed tougher laws against human traffickers. The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act will create felonies and more offenses, giving law enforcement the tools they need to better protect victims.

Barclay said he was glad the Speaker brought this important legislation to the floor, independent of the 10-point Women's Equality Act which contained a controversial provision to expand access to late-term abortion. Though the Assembly passed the full 10-point plan last year, the Senate did not and the legislation was stalled. Last year, with Speaker Silver, the Assembly refused to separate the bills contained in the package and halted many good bills from advancing. This human trafficking bill was part of that package.

“Issues like this and many others should be debated and voted on separately. I was glad to see this bill come to the floor for a vote today, and was happy to vote in favor. We've known for years there are loopholes that sex and labor traffickers are taking advantage of, so today, we crossed a political hurdle and did the right thing by bringing this bill singularly to the floor for a vote,” said Barclay.

The bill passed unanimously, 141-0. The Senate also has passed this bill, and it will advance to the Governor.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring more bills to the governor’s desk that increase opportunities and enact stronger protections for women across New York State,” said Barclay.