Calif. increases penalties for illegally transporting individuals into the U.S. to $20,000
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to further combat human trafficking in the state by increasing the financial penalties imposed on persons convicted of the crime (Office of the Governor of the State of California Press Release, GAAS:596:09, October 11, 2009).
Assembly Bill 17, signed on October 11, 2009, increases financial penalties on those convicted of human trafficking by 400 percent, bringing the fine to $20,000, and allows law enforcement to seize assets connected to traffickers, which can greatly increase the financial loss for traffickers. Half of what is collected in fines and seizures will also be made available to community-based organizations that serve underage victims of human trafficking. A.B. 17 takes effect immediately.
Governor Schwarzenegger previously enacted legislation establishing human trafficking as a crime and increasing the severity of punishment for those that commit or benefit from this crime, including:
• A.B. 22, L. 2005, which made human trafficking in California a felony punishable by up to eight years in state prison;
• A.B. 1278, L. 2008, which prohibits contracts that siphon future wages in exchange for the cost of transporting an individual into the United States; and
• A.B. 1569, L. 2006, which provides support services to victims of human trafficking.
Reprinted with permission. © CCH
<p>Calif. increases penalties for illegally transporting individuals into the U.S. to $20,000 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to further combat human trafficking in the state by increasing the financial penalties imposed on persons convicted of the crime (Office</p>
Calif. increases penalties for illegally transporting individuals into the U.S. to $20,000
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