Int. No. 827
By Council Members Louis, Brannan and Riley
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of human trafficking
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 20-o to read as follows:
§ 20-o. Office of human trafficking prevention. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Director. The term “director” means the director of the office of human trafficking prevention.
Human trafficking. The term “human trafficking” means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud, coercion or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit, including through labor and sexual exploitation.
b. Establishment of office. The mayor shall establish an office of human trafficking. Such office may, but need not, be established in the executive office of the mayor and may be established as a separate office or within any department the head of which is appointed by the mayor. Such office shall be headed by a director who shall be appointed by the mayor.
c. Powers and duties. The director shall have the power and duty to:
1. Define issues of concern related to human trafficking, issue recommendations related to such issues of concern, and work to find innovative ways of utilizing city resources to help address such issues of concern. Such issues of concern shall include, but need not be limited to, preventing human trafficking in New York city and helping survivors of human trafficking find permanent safety;
2. Coordinate multi-agency initiatives relating to human trafficking prevention
3. Perform outreach and promote public awareness of human trafficking, including, but not limited to, making resources available with respect to the issues identified pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subdivision and referring members of the public to providers for advice, assistance, and available services in connection with particular issues;
4. Conduct research on human trafficking across New York city; and
5. Perform such other duties as the mayor may assign.
c. Annual report. No later than January 1, 2025, and on January 1 annually thereafter, the office established pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall prepare and submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report on the activities carried out by such office during the preceding year, and recommendations for addressing human trafficking in New York city.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.
BM
LS #3685/3686/409
11/10/2022