Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5311
SPONSOR: Reyes TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to expanding the
membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would add the Department of Transportation and Depart-
ment of Motor Vehicles to the list of agencies comprising the Interagen-
cy Task Force on Trafficking.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision (a) of section 483-3ee of the Social
Services Law to add the Commissioner of the Department of Transporta-
tion, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Exec-
utive Director of the Thruway Authority to the agencies comprising the
Interagency Task Force on Trafficking.
Section 2 extends authorization, for five years, of the Interagency Task
Force on Trafficking
Section 3 sets forth an immediate effective date with provisions.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Interagency Task Force on Trafficking was established in 2007 as
part of broader reforms establishing criminal penalties for human traf-
ficking in New York State. The Task Force was convened to collect data
relating to the enactment of this human trafficking law and to make
recommendations on the effectiveness of the provisions set forth in this
new law and potential amendments. Specifically, the task force was
charged with: coordinating the implementation of the new law; studying
issues that may need further reform, including ensuring that victims are
properly protected and assisted; collecting data on the extent of traf-
ficking in the state; and recommending best practices for training and
community outreach to help law enforcement, social service providers,
prosecutors, defense attorneys, .and the general public to recognize
trafficking situations. The Task Force was also charged with measuring
and evaluating the state's progress in preventing trafficking and prose-
outing persons engaged in such trafficking.
As New York State continues to assess and respond to human trafficking,
it is necessary to directly include the state agencies that oversee
transportation systems and licensed transporters. At the federal level,
the United States Department of Transportation plays an important role
in the nation's response to trafficking and has membership on the Presi-
dent's Interagency Task Force (PITF) established under the Traffickihg
Victims Protection Act of 2000. The agency is. responsible for coordi-
nation, training, public awareness and overseeing grant funding for
countertrafficking efforts.. Similar collaboration among and represen-
tation of New York State agencies is necessary to combat trafficking.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A7133B (Reyes)/S6424C (Persaud)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5311
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. REYES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to expanding the
membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision (a) of section 483-ee of the social services
2 law, as amended by chapter 496 of the laws of 2023, is amended to read
3 as follows:
4 (a) There is established an interagency task force on trafficking in
5 persons, which shall consist of the following members or their desig-
6 nees: (1) the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services;
7 (2) the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assist-
8 ance; (3) the commissioner of health; (4) the commissioner of the office
9 of mental health; (5) the commissioner of labor; (6) the commissioner of
10 the office of children and family services; (7) the commissioner of the
11 office of addiction services and supports; (8) the director of the
12 office of victim services; (9) the executive director of the office for
13 the prevention of domestic violence; (10) the superintendent of the
14 division of state police; (11) the secretary of state; (12) the commis-
15 sioner of the department of transportation; (13) the commissioner of the
16 department of motor vehicles; (14) the executive director of the New
17 York state thruway authority; and the following additional members, who
18 shall be promptly appointed by the governor, each for a term of two
19 years, provided that such person's membership shall continue after such
20 two year term until a successor is appointed and provided, further, that
21 a member may be reappointed if again recommended in the manner specified
22 in this subdivision: [(12)] (15) two members, who shall be appointed on
23 the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate; [(13)] (16)
24 two members, who shall be appointed on the recommendation of the speaker
25 of the assembly; [(14)] (17) two members, who shall be appointed on the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00854-01-5
A. 5311 2
1 recommendation of the not-for-profit organization in New York state that
2 receives the largest share of funds, appropriated by and through the
3 state budget, for providing services to victims of human trafficking, as
4 shall be identified annually in writing by the director of the budget;
5 and [(15)] (18) one member, who shall be appointed on the recommendation
6 of the president of the New York state bar association; and others as
7 may be necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities under this
8 section. The task force will be co-chaired by the commissioners of the
9 division of criminal justice services and the office of temporary and
10 disability assistance, or their designees. It shall meet as often as is
11 necessary, but no less than three times per year, and under circum-
12 stances as are appropriate to fulfilling its duties under this section.
13 All members shall be provided with written notice reasonably in advance
14 of each meeting with date, time and location of such meeting.
15 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that
16 the amendments to section 483-ee of the social services law made by
17 section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and
18 shall be deemed repealed therewith.
