Georgia first lady announces new legislation in fight against human trafficking

It’s a crime that touches families in every corner of our state and makes criminals millions of dollars at the expense of innocent lives. Many victims will never come forward.

The fight against human trafficking has been a top priority for the Kemp administration.

On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp and Marty Kemp held a news conference to talk about their newly proposed legislation to try and combat trafficking and more specifically to help its survivors.

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“With these initiatives, we can continue to take important steps to end modern day slavery and ensure that our state is a safe haven for survivors,” Marty Kemp said.

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The first lady said the administration will seek a law that would allow victims to change their names legally without having to first post notice in a county newspaper.

Officials also want to make it easier for victims to sue their captors in state court.

The governor and first lady will also push the Department of Drivers Services to require anyone getting a new or renewed commercial driver’s license to take an online course on how to spot the victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a problem that touches more communities and families than you may realize.

The United Way of Greater Atlanta says sex trafficking is $290 million business here. It drives more revenue than the drugs and gun trades combined.

In 2019, a Georgia State University study found more than half of the homeless youth in metro Atlanta experienced human trafficking.

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16-year-old escapes Georgia sex trafficking gang; several people arrested, Gov. Kemp announces Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, GBI Director Vic Reynolds and Attorney General Chris Carr announced the details of the yearlong operation on Tuesday.