Politics & Government

Gov. McDonnell Signs Bills to Prevent Human Trafficking in Virginia

New legislation could put those involved in human trafficking behind bars for life

If you are found to be involved in human trafficking in the Commonwealth of Virginia, under new legislation, you could be just as guilty as the ringleader and spend the rest of your life in prison.

 Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) signed three bills intended to prevent human trafficking throughout the state, Tuesday at the . The three bills will assist law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia in the prosecution of people involved in human trafficking.

“This is an important topic,” said McDonnell, who also mentioned that between 4 million and 27 million people are said to be trapped in modern-day slavery across the world. “It’s something that’s talked about much. What we’re talking about here is vile.”

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Delegates, law enforcement agencies from around Virginia and several nonprofit corporations that aid victims of human trafficking packed a conference room Tuesday at the airport to see the McDonnell sign the three bills.

House Bill 1893 is the most stringent of the three bills McDonnell signed Tuesday. The bill, trafficking of a minor, is reclassified as a class two felony now. A penalty of 20 years to life in prison goes to anyone convicted of abducting a minor for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography or prostitution.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McDonnell also signed Senate Bill 1453, which requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to advise law enforcement agencies of human trafficking issues and House Bill 2190 which requires the Department of Social Services to develop a service plan for victims of human trafficking.

State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd District), who is responsible for part of Fairfax County, said she is glad to see initiatives that will provide services to the victims of human trafficking. She said she wants offenders involved in human trafficking in Virginia that they will be held accountable for their actions.

“We need to focus on the ‘Johns’,” Howell said. “We’ll prosecute and you’ll probably go to jail for life.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here