Assembly Democrats Pass Sweeping Package of Bills to Combat Human Trafficking
_Press Release - Posted on October 29, 2026
Legislation would strengthen enforcement, increase penalties, protect survivors and expand public awareness
TRENTON – The New Jersey General Assembly today passed a comprehensive package of Democrat-sponsored bills aimed at combating human trafficking by strengthening law enforcement efforts, increasing penalties for offenders, protecting survivors, and expanding public awareness.
The legislation builds on New Jersey’s ongoing efforts to identify trafficking victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Earlier this year, anti-human trafficking operations conducted in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted in the recovery of nearly 100 suspected trafficking victims and more than 70 arrests across the State. The bills would build on those efforts by strengthening investigative tools, increasing accountability, and improving access to resources for victims.
Several bills sponsored by Assemblywoman Ellen Park respond to findings from a 2024 State Commission of Investigation report examining suspected human trafficking within the massage and bodywork therapy industry. The legislation would require a review of statewide investigative policies (A1406), increase penalties for certain prostitution-related crimes (A1407), and expand human trafficking awareness signage to include Chinese and Korean (A1408).
“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that often takes place out of public view, leaving victims vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” said Assemblywoman Park (D-Bergen). “We have a responsibility to ensure our laws are strong enough to hold those responsible accountable while protecting the people who have been victimized. This legislation takes important steps toward improving investigations, strengthening penalties, and making resources more accessible to those who need them.”
A4215, sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, would increase penalties for individuals who purchase sexual activity and direct fines toward funds that support crime victims and trafficking survivors.
“Enhanced penalties for being a patron of prostitution is a critical way to decrease the demand for this harmful and illegal industry,” said Assemblywoman Murphy (D-Burlington). “By strengthening penalties and directing fines toward victim assistance, we can reinforce accountability while helping survivors access the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
Additional bills in the package would eliminate certain statutes of limitations for human trafficking cases, strengthen investigative and prosecutorial tools, expand training requirements, and increase the number of locations required to display human trafficking awareness information.
Human trafficking advocates, including New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking President Gina Cavallo, applauded the advancement of the legislation today:
“As a survivor of human trafficking, I know firsthand that the harm of exploitation doesn’t end when someone escapes. I commend the New Jersey Assembly for taking action to strengthen penalties and increase awareness,” Cavallo said. “These are important steps toward accountability and prevention, but laws alone are not enough. We must ensure they lead to meaningful protection, justice, and lasting support for survivors. As President of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, I believe survivors’ voices must remain at the center of these efforts. Every survivor deserves the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and thrive.”
A complete list of human-trafficking related bills include:
- A1406 (Park/Lopez/McCoy): Requires a review of statewide human trafficking investigation policies.
- A1407 (Park/Katz/Morales): Strengthens penalties for certain prostitution-related crimes and establishes new offenses targeting prostitution networks.
- A1408 (Park/Calabrese/Rowan): Requires human trafficking awareness signage in Chinese and Korean.
- A2163 (Speight/Murphy/Swain/Park): Expands locations required to display human trafficking awareness signage.
- A4215 (Murphy/Haider/Collazos-Gill): Increases penalties for purchasing sexual activity and directs fines toward victim assistance.
- A4740 (Calabrese/Stanley/Sampson): Requires human trafficking awareness training for commercial driver’s license applicants and renewing drivers.
- A5606 (Park/Karabinchak): Clarifies establishments required to display human trafficking awareness signs.
- A3384 (Stanley/Hutchison): Eliminates statute of limitations for certain human trafficking prosecutions and civil lawsuits.
- A4796 (Reynolds-Jackson/Carter/McCoy): Expands criminal and civil penalties for human trafficking, and expands human trafficking training requirements for law enforcement.