S3967B

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Sepúlveda that would amend the Penal Law to protect individuals engaged in sex work who are victims of or witnesses to crime from criminalization when cooperating with law enforcement. The bill passed on a 59-0 roll call vote. Sen. Persaud, whose 19th Senatorial District includes the Penn Track area in Brooklyn, spoke passionately in support, describing it as a critical step to combat sex trafficking. She emphasized that the legislation does not legalize prostitution but rather removes barriers that prevent trafficking victims from coming forward to assist law enforcement. Persaud noted that victims, some as young as 10 years old, currently fear arrest if they cooperate with police, effectively shielding traffickers from prosecution. She cited recent federal efforts and media reports documenting the severity of trafficking in her district, including a recent conviction of a Brooklyn man for murder in the course of sex trafficking at Penn Track. The bill takes effect 60 days after becoming law.