The New York State Assembly Chambers
ALBANY – The state Assembly passed a series of anti-human trafficking bills on Monday as part of a broader effort to address the needs of women.
The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act increases penalties for sex and labor human trafficking, requires anti-human-trafficking training for law enforcement and creates a civil right of action to enable victims of human trafficking to sue their perpetrators for damages, among other things.
The vote was a sign that the much debated Women’s Equality Act (WEA) is starting to move forward, but it remains to be seen just how many items on that agenda will clear both chambers and make it to Gov. Cuomo’s desk for a signature.
The full 10-point WEA package had been stalled due to an abortion rights provision, which supporters said would codify the Roe v. Wade decision in state law. But the Republican-controlled Senate has refused to take up that measure and instead is pushingWEA through piecemeal, one plank at a time.
Meanwhile, the Democrat-controlled Assembly had previously said it would pass WEA as a single piece of legislation. But that changed earlier this year when former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver – who was the primary force in pushing the legislation – stepped down from his leadership position. Under the new leadership of Charles Heastie, the Assembly has opted to follow the Senate and pass each part of WEA separately.
Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) said she was obviously pleased that the Assembly has finally decided a new approach to passing WEA.
“The passage of the anti-human trafficking legislation by the Assembly is a positive step for the health and safety of all New York’s women,” Young Said. “For nearly two years my Senate Republican colleagues and I have been calling on the Assembly’s downstate leadership to follow our lead and put progress ahead of politics. By finally doing what’s right for New York’s women, the new Assembly Speaker has shown a willingness to work together to get results on the critical issues before our state.”
Despite breaking up WEA and passing the ant-human-trafficking portion separately, Assembly Democrats have said they aren’t dropping their push for abortion rights.
On Tuesday, the Assembly will take up a paid family leave bill. It’s a policy supported by the Senate’s one-house budget, but one Governor Andrew Cuomo is skeptical there can be an agreement.
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