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| LEGISLATION ADVOCACY
"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction,
is the first and only object of good government." ~ Thomas Jefferson
Seattle Against Slavery (SAS) is a huge voice for change
in advocating for laws that better protect trafficking victims, provide
adequate services for survivors, prosecute perpetrators, and prevent
human trafficking and slavery. We have seen over the last decade of
elections that ordinary citizens can make a big difference when we
engage in the political process. Pushing and supporting our state and federal
lawmakers to pass bills that address all domestic and foreign nationals
from human trafficking, labor slavery, sexual exploitation, child porn,
forced prostitution, etc. is one of SAS' primary role as a grassroots
coalition. But we need everyone's help to engage with visits to our lawmakers via face-to-face meetings, phone calls, letters, or emails. Below are some of the more important bills SAS advocates for.
F E D E R A L
To locate U.S. Senators for Washington: Sen. Patty Murray | Sen. Maria Cantwell
Roster for U.S. House of Reps for Washington: click here
U.S. House Rep. Bill 2737 - Child Protection Compact Act
Sponsors: Rep. Smith (NJ), Rep. Baird (WA), Rep Inslee (WA), Rep. Larsen (WA), Rep. McDermott, Rep. McMorris (WA), & 86 other co-sponsors
Brief Description: To provide United States assistance ($50 million to U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons) for the purpose of eradicating
trafficking in children in eligible countries through the
implementation of Child Protection Compacts, and for other purposes.
"The United States can and should do more to help foreign governments end the illegal sale of children for sex and forced labor. The Child Protection Compact Act will provide targeted resources to countries that have shown the political will to combat trafficking, but lack the resources and capacity to enforce that will. This legislation would help eradicate the exploitation of children for labor or commercial sex in developing countries by offering additional resources for law enforcement, protection of survivors, and deterrence through apprehension and prosecution of traffickers (World Vision)."
Download HR 2737: Full | Talking Points by World Vision | To get Updates on Bills: click here.  U.S. Senate Bill 2925 - Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009
Sponsors: U.S. Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Cornyn (R-TX)
Brief Description: To establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking, and for other purposes. The Assistant Attorney General is authorized to award 6 block
grants to eligible entities in different regions of the United States
to combat sex trafficking, and not less than 1 of the block grants
shall be awarded to an eligible entity with a State population of less
than 5,000,000. Each grant awarded under this section shall be in the amount of $2,500,000. Download S. 2925: Full | Digest by Polaris Project-Shared Hope Int'l-ECPATTo get Updates on Bills: click here.
Protect Trafficking Victims, President Obama
Sponsors: SAS Joins International Justice Mission
Since Inauguration Day 2009, President Obama has appointed committed diplomats (e.g. Luis deBaca) and made a powerful
statement by declaring January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Let us join our friends at International Justice Mission to urge President
Obama to protect children from trafficking and exploitation, in Haiti
and around the world. Read this letter
and fill out your contact information to raise our voices together and
urge President Obama to do more to 'make a slave-free world, one city
at a time.'S T A T E
To locate your Washington Legislators: click here (State Senators and State House of Representatives)
Roster of WA State Senators: click here | House Members by District: click here
WA Senate Bill 6476 - Revising Provisions Relating to Sex Crimes Involving Minors
Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Hargrove, Fraser, Swecker, Delvin, Brandland, Holmquist, Becker, Parlette, Carrell, Hewitt, Schoesler, King, Roach, and Kohl-Welles
Brief Description: Allows the department of social and health services to connect a child, who is sexually exploited, with services and treatment. Provides for impoundment of a person's vehicle if the person is arrested for certain sex crimes involving a minor. Changes penalties for commercial sexual abuse and promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
Download SB 6476: Full | Digest | Amend | Progress on Bill: click here. WA Senate Bill 6330 - Stop Trafficking Demand Along WA Highways
Sponsors:
Senators Stevens, Hargrove, Fraser, Swecker, Delvin, Brandland,
Holmquist, Becker, Parlette, Carrell, Hewitt, Schoesler, King, Roach,
and Kohl-Welles
Brief Description: Authorizes the department of transportation to work with human trafficking victim advocates in developing informational posters for placement in rest areas.
Download SB 6476: Full | Digest | Progress on Bill: click here.
 WA House Bill 2424/Senate Bill 6201 - Protecting Children from Internet Child Porn & Accountability
Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Pearson, Hurst, Takko, Herrera, Chandler, Ross, Rodne, Dammeier, Condotta, Shea, Klippert, Smith, Walsh, and Parker; by request of Attorney General
Brief Description: Revises current statutes governing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct to ensure that intentional viewing of and trading in child pornography over the internet is subject to a criminal penalty without limiting the scope of existing prohibitions on the possession of or dealing in child pornography, including the possession of electronic depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Clarifies that each individual item of visual or printed matter constitutes a separate violation for purposes of determining the unit of prosecution under the statutes governing possession of and trading in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Download HB 2424: Full | Digest | Download SB 6201: Full | Digest | Progress on Bill: click here.
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