The Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed two bills earlier this week which are intended to ensure speedy access to resources and support for young victims of human trafficking.

Under current Pennsylvania law, any minor who is a victim of sex trafficking must first identify their perpetrator to be legally considered a victim, unless their trafficker has already been charged as such.

Senate Bill 44 would amend Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to further clarify the definition of sex trafficking as well as who counts as a victim of human trafficking. Senate Bill 45 would eliminate the third-party identification requirement under the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act.

Both bills 44 and 45 passed unanimously in the state Senate and have been referred to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for further consideration.

“Pennsylvania has not been untouched by the horrid human trafficking epidemic that is being seen on a global scale,” said Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr., R-47th. “Children who have had to endure the atrocities from being trafficked deserve to have access to every resource possible to aid in their recovery. I am proud to support these critical pieces of legislation.”