Yesterday, Gov. John R. Kasich signed House Bill 262 (Fedor) into law. The legislation is a crucial piece of a broad effort to end human trafficking in Ohio. The law not only make human trafficking a first degree felony with mandatory prison term of 10 to 15 years but also will make those convicted of promoting prostitution or sex trafficking as registered sex offenders.
Joining Kasich for the bill signing at the Toledo Area Ministries (TAM) offices was bill sponsor, Rep. Teresa Fedor, Sen. Mark Wagoner, Sen. Capri Cafaro, Rep. Mike Ashford, human trafficking survivor Marlene Carson, and Rev. Stephen Anthony of TAM.
Prior to the signing, Kasich was delivered a report from the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes 26 recommendations intended to compliment HB 262 in implementing strategies to help victims and prevent human trafficking.