New GA human trafficking law specifies penalties for certain businesses

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill Tuesday that strengthens a law aimed at stopping human trafficking.

The new law targets businesses like convention centers and hotels, which could face big fines if they don’t post the human trafficking hotline on signs.

The hotline is the number to call if you are the victim of, or have seen signs of, human trafficking.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2′s Richard Elliott reported live from the Georgia World Congress Center Tuesday, where those signs are already on display.

Georgia law already required those signs to be displayed in certain businesses, but up until now, there were no penalties if they didn’t.

At a special ceremony Tuesday at the Governor’s mansion, Gov. Kemp signed a bill that could fine these places between $500 and $5,000 for failure to post these signs.

“So I want to thank them for making Georgia a hostile place for traffickers, but a safe haven for victims,” Kemp said.

Minutes earlier, First Lady Marty Kemp convened the first GRACE Commission of her husband’s second term.

That commission is dedicated to identifying and ending human trafficking in Georgia. It’s Marty Kemp’s mission.

TRENDING STORIES:

• 1 dead after shooting at busy MARTA station, police say
• 77-year-old Buckhead woman stabbed dozens of times, report reveals
• Heads up drivers: One metro Atlanta county is majorly cracking down on speeding, drunk driving

“By bringing together public and private sector leaders, nonprofits, law enforcement, and subject matter experts, we have successfully crafted legislation that has moved the needle in this fight,” Marty Kemp said.

With the stroke of a pen and a kiss from the First Lady, Gov. Kemp says this latest legislation will force those businesses that have not been posting these critical messages to post them.

“That good work has saved lives, it’s taken children out of dangerous situations, and it’s put offenders behind bars where they can no longer make victims of the innocent,” Gov. Kemp said.

To date, Georgia has convicted 52 people of human trafficking charges while rescuing 160 victims.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Murder suspect arrested trying to board flight at Atlanta airport Police said Richard Lee, 40, entered the home and shot 32-year-old Michael Roshell to death. Police said Lee and Roshell were married.

©2022 Cox Media Group