State Lawmakers Reintroduce Proposal to Combat Human Trafficking on the Demand Side

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 -- 12:00 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) At the Capitol, a proposal is being reintroduced to combat human trafficking on the demand side.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, modeled after current law in Florida and Washington, the Human Trafficking Prevention Act would impose a mandatory $5,000 surcharge on convictions for patronizing or soliciting prostitutes or keeping a place of prostitution.

Republican state Senator Andre Jacques of DePere says he and advocates for those being trafficked see this bill as attacking the demand side. He’s reintroducing it with Republican state Representative Scott Allen of Waukesha.

Similar legislation has previously passed bipartisan committee votes in the state Senate and Assembly and passed unanimously in the state Senate during the 2019-’20 session, and Governor Tony Evers has previously indicated support.

Jacque says money generated by charge would be evenly divided between the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and building capacity to help survivors of human trafficking,

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