Eastern Shore Times

Del. Mike Cherry and Del. Karrie Delaney have introduced bipartisan legislation to combat human-labor trafficking in Virginia. The bill, known as House Bill 633, has the support of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's administration and the state attorney general's office. This legislation aims to put an end to what Del. Cherry describes as "modern-day slavery" in the state.

Under the proposed legislation, labor trafficking would be classified as a Class 4 felony, the same as sex trafficking. If the person being trafficked is a minor, it would be considered a Class 3 felony. The bill also allows victims of labor trafficking to sue their exploiters. Del. Cherry emphasizes the importance of addressing human trafficking, stating that it is "not acceptable."

Attorney General Jason Miyares highlights that forced labor constitutes approximately 40% of all human trafficking cases in Virginia. However, Virginia is currently the only state where labor trafficking cannot be prosecuted at the local level and must be tried at the federal level. Miyares welcomes the Cherry-Delaney legislation as it will give local prosecutors the necessary tools to combat labor trafficking effectively.

Del. Delaney emphasizes the bipartisan nature of the bill, stating that it is "one of the most bipartisan measures before us" in the 2024 legislative session. She has been a strong advocate for strengthening sex-trafficking prohibitions and sees the labor trafficking bill as an important extension of that work. Del. Delaney notes that labor trafficking occurs in various industries, such as agriculture, domestic work, construction, landscaping, and manufacturing. Many victims are children or migrant workers.

The urgency to address labor trafficking in Virginia is underscored by a recent conviction of the operators of a Williamsburg laundry company for labor trafficking. However, due to the lack of a statute, the case had to be prosecuted at the federal level. Attorney General Miyares highlights that this case exemplifies the need for a change in Virginia's laws.

Although the legislature will be addressing labor trafficking as a stand-alone crime for the first time in the 2024 session, Del. Cherry explains that it has been a gradual process. The criminalization of sex trafficking in 2012 was the starting point, and now, after 12 years, the necessary resources and administration support are in place to tackle labor trafficking.

Suzanne Youngkin, the first lady, emphasizes that addressing anti-trafficking issues was one of the first executive orders signed by Gov. Youngkin. She emphasizes that this is not about politics but about passionate people coming together to combat human trafficking.

The Cherry-Delaney bill has not yet been assigned to a committee for review but is expected to go before the House Courts of Justice Committee. If passed, this legislation will provide vital tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to combat labor trafficking in Virginia and bring justice to victims of this heinous crime.