Suffolk Legislature approves human trafficking bill that restricts hourly rates at hotels and motels
News 12 has reported on multiple human trafficking stories in the county this year, including a Medford woman who was arrested over the summer.
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The Suffolk Legislature approved a bill Tuesday that will institute increased record-keeping requirements at hotels and motels, among other measures officials say will help combat human trafficking in the county.
For a local survivor of human trafficking, it's a relief to see more measures being taken.
Laura Mullen says she was just a kid the first time she was trafficked.
"I was like, hopeless," she says. "I was like 12 when my brother sold me. Then I got into drugs, and that's what ended me in my trafficking situations."
Among its provisions, the legislation:
Specifies information to be kept in hotel and motel guest registers
Requires that such information be kept for certain extended time periods
Requires that records be made available for authorized law enforcement, rescue and emergency personnel and relevant municipal officials
Prohibits hourly rate options of less than six hours in duration for rooms with sleeping accommodations
Requires hotel operators to provide human trafficking recognition training in accordance with section 205 of the New York General Business Law to core employees
"I've been those individuals in the hotels where I'm like literally trading favors with the workers or, you know, money....just so that they would stop saying you have too many people coming to your room," says Mullen.
Legislator Chad Lennon (D – District 6), who sponsored the bill, said in a prepared statement that the legislation is a “first step.”
“There will be more action to come from the Legislature to fight back against anyone who seeks to traffic anyone in our county,” said Lennon.
In a statement, County Executive Ed Romaine said he intended to sign the measure into law.
“Suffolk County will stay vigilant and do all we can to prevent and, if needed, prosecute the heinous crime of human trafficking. Legislator Lennon’s bill an important step in preventing anonymity and potential havens for traffickers,” Romaine said.
News 12 has reported on multiple human trafficking stories in the county this year, including a Medford woman who was arrested over the summer.
In October, News 12 senior reporter Tara Rosenblum’s investigation into hotels and motels in New York not complying with laws enacted to prevent human trafficking brought the issue into the spotlight.
Advocates who help victims are hopeful this will help.
"It's about time," says co-founder of ECLI-VIBES Feride Castillo. "From the stories I've heard from survivors, I do know that some individuals are very, very implicit into what's happening."
"In 2024, we served 191 youth. And when I say that it's a big number, but it doesn't encompass the kids that are not identified," says Safe Harbour Program Supervisor Stephanie Muller.
Safe Harbour and a local hotel owner are working together.
Mickey, the local hotel owner, sent News 12 a statement saying he thinks this bill is a step in the right direction.
"I think mandating training and making sure all records are kept digitally and securely will definitely help. It’s important to have an open line of communication with our local precincts to make sure we keep bad individuals out," says Mickey.
