Senate: Tough on Crime, Saving Taxpayer Dollars

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted anti-human trafficking and pension reform legislation and both bills have been sent to the Governor for his signature. These are important bills that reflect the priorities of the Commonwealth, and I’m proud of the work done on these pieces of legislation. 

The anti-human trafficking bill is being hailed as the toughest legislation of its kind in the nation, and it is the product of a lot of hard work from human rights advocates, the legislature and the attorney general. Under the bill, anyone involved in the organization of forced labor and sexual servitude would face tough criminal penalties. The bill also establishes important protections for victims and children to help them access necessary services.

The final legislation includes criminal sentences up to five years in prison for attempted human trafficking, up to 20 years for trafficking adults, and up to life imprisonment for the trafficking of minors. Businesses would face up to $1 million in fines for the first offense and a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life for a second offense. In addition, the legislation removes any statute of limitations for trafficking crimes, and anyone convicted of these crimes would be required to register in Massachusetts as a sex offender.

Massachusetts was one of only a few states without such a law, and it’s important that we got this done in order to protect people from these heinous crimes. This is a major step toward ending the exploitation of children and other victims in Massachusetts.

The pension reform legislation approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday is projected to save the Commonwealth more than $5 billion over 30 years and will reduce our unfunded liabilities and modernize our system. This legislation would shut down salary spiking and other manipulations of the pension system that lead to excessive costs for our state.

We eliminated many of the worst offenses two years ago, and this bill addresses some of the more complicated issues in our pension system. Changes in the legislation would take effect beginning April 2, 2012.

Both branches are in formal session again today, and we will be taking final votes on the congressional redistricting maps and expanded gambling legislation. For more information on the bills passed yesterday, please visit www.theresemurray.com/newsroom/press-releases.