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Rep. Jim Hackworth - House District 33
IMMEDIATE RELEASE March
29, 2007
Human Trafficking,
Illegal Immigration Targeted by Comprehensive Bills before House
Committees
Out-of-state Inmates,
Disabled Motorists, Whistleblowers Scrutinized
NASHVILLE (Mar. 29) –
Significant bills addressing modern-day slaves, illegal immigrants,
disabled motorists and prison inmates were considered this week by the
state House of Representatives. Lawmakers also passed a measure in
final action that gives legal protection to whistleblowers who report
fraud by government officials, according to Rep.
Jim Hackworth
, D-Anderson
County.
“Legislative committees
looked at a number of far-reaching measures that could transform our
everyday lives for the better. Many of these bills were first
proposed by constituents based on their personal concerns. As
always, our state’s people demonstrated their common sense and inherent
fairness. Now it’s up to lawmakers to fight for the best interests
of all Tennesseans,” said
Hackworth.
Two major bills in the
Finance, Ways and Means and Judiciary committees target involuntary
servitude and human trafficking in the Volunteer State. One bill,
the “Tennessee Human Trafficking Act of 2007,” outlaws recruiting,
transporting and harboring people for coerced, involuntary labor or
sexual acts. Individuals and corporations can be charged with a felony
offense and severely prosecuted under this measure.
Another bill would enact
the “Tennessee Anti-Child Sexual Servitude and Trafficking Act of 2007,”
which specifically protects children younger than 18 years of age from
sexual exploitation. Violating this proposed law also results in a
felony offense for prostituting youngsters or using them to produce
obscene materials.
“Human trafficking is
modern-day slavery that uses unsuspecting people from the poorer regions
of the world men, women and children are promised good jobs or other
legitimate opportunities. After reaching far-flung destinations in
other countries, they realize they were deceived about financial
arrangements and employment conditions. They find themselves in
bondage and abused, and escape is both difficult and dangerous,”
explained Hackworth.
An estimated 18,000 to
20,000 victims are trafficked into the United States annually.
Approximately 80 percent are women and girls and up to 50 percent are
minors. “Tennessee law enforcement officers recently raided
suspected brothels in Nashville and Memphis that held young Latino women
as sexual slaves. Some victims were recruited under false
circumstances, while others were kidnapped or sold to the brothels by
other traffickers,” said
Hackworth.
In related business, the
Government Operations Committee heard several measures on illegal
immigration including the “Tennessee Immigration Compliance Act.”
This comprehensive bill includes seven major provisions. In
addition to restrictions on human trafficking, public employers and
contractors are required to verify personal information of all new
employees with the federal work authorization program. By doing
so, employers can determine if potential hires are in the country
legally.
“The governor is also
directed to negotiate an agreement with the federal government that
allows state and local police to enforce federal immigration and customs
laws. The bill then authorizes city and county law enforcement
officers to determine if foreign nationals charged with a felony offense
or arrested for DUI are here illegally,” continued
Hackworth.
Plus, employers who
calculate a taxpayer’s net earnings or loss for excise tax purposes
can’t claim a tax credit if an employee is an undocumented worker.
Government agencies are further directed to deny state, local or federal
public benefits to illegal immigrants older than 18 years of age under
this strict measure.
In other action, the
State and Local Government Committee advanced a bill that bans public
prisons or private contractor-operated prisons from accepting
out-of-state inmates unless the sending state pays the full cost of
returning prisoners after release. “This measure only applies to
prisoners who’ve served their time and excludes any family members who
move to Tennessee to be closer to their incarcerated relatives,” said
Hackworth.
A bill that increases
the fine for unauthorized use of parking spaces reserved for motorists
with disabilities moved to the Calendar and Rules Committee. That
is the last step for legislation before it’s sent to the lower chamber
for final action. Under this measure, the fine for violators
increases from $100 to $150. The bill also requires the state
commissioner of finance to assess every five years whether the fine
should be raised based on cost-of-living data reported by the US
government.
House members in a floor
vote unanimously passed the “Local Government Instances of Fraud
Reporting Act” earlier this week. This measure requires elected or
appointed public officials to report to their comptroller within five
days any thefts by other officials of public money, property or
services. Officials who make such reports are immune from civil or
criminal liability for making these reports in good faith.
“Officials can be
prosecuted, however, if they participated or benefited from the unlawful
conduct they’re reporting. This bill encourages responsible
government conduct and protects whistleblowers from retaliatory lawsuits
or actions,” concluded Hackworth.
CONTACT:
Kenneth Townsend, Press Secretary, House Democratic Caucus, at
615-741-6620 or email
kenneth.townsend@legislature.state.tn.us.
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