ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 476
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MARCH 23, 2023
The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably
Assembly Bill No. 476.
The bill would establish a Statewide Initiative for the Red Sand
Project.
Under the bill, the Department of Community Affairs would, in
consultation with the Commission on Human Trafficking, establish a
Statewide initiative for the Red Sand Project. This initiative would
coincide with the month of January, which is designated as Human
Trafficking Prevention Month.
The Attorney General, in consultation with the Commission on
Human Trafficking, may provide for the expenditures of monies from
the “Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund” to assist with the
Red Sand Project Initiative.
Under current law, the Commission on Human Trafficking is
required to, among other things, develop mechanisms to promote
public awareness of human trafficking, including promotion of the
national, 24-hour toll-free hotline telephone service on human
trafficking. This bill would require the commission to develop
mechanisms to promote the Red Sand Project.
The Red Sand Project was created by artist Molly Gochman and
involves pouring red sand in the cracks of sidewalks to promote
awareness of human trafficking and to recognize the human trafficking
victims who metaphorically “fall through the cracks” of our social,
economic, and political systems.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.