Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business.
Impact
Under this resolution, the SCI will collaborate with law enforcement officials, including the Attorney General, to conduct its investigations. It is mandated that the commission will issue a report summarizing its findings within two years of the resolution's effective date. This report must include evidence of potential human trafficking or criminal wrongdoing, and it can be delayed by up to 120 days if significant findings necessitate further scrutiny. The outcomes of this investigation are expected to inform future legislative actions and potentially lead to stronger regulations.
Summary
ACR57 is a concurrent resolution from the New Jersey Legislature that directs the State Commission on Investigation (SCI) to examine human trafficking activities specifically within the places of business employing massage and bodywork therapists. The resolution recognizes the commission's existing authority to conduct such investigations and emphasizes the importance of addressing this critical issue of human trafficking in the state. It highlights that recent reports have pointed out a troubling trend of illicit activities associated with massage parlors, posing a public safety threat and calling for immediate action.
Contention
Notably, ACR57 underscores the severity of human trafficking issues tied to the massage industry, with the context provided by the Polaris Project report illustrating the vulnerabilities present in this sector. The resolution calls for reforms to existing laws that govern the registration and licensure of massage therapists and their employers, suggesting that current laws may not be sufficient to prevent human trafficking. Therefore, the SCI's findings will be a cornerstone in evaluating and possibly reforming the legal framework surrounding the massage therapy profession in New Jersey.