Human Trafficking

Updated: May 15, 2008

A bill that establishes human trafficking and trafficking of a child as specific criminal offenses was signed into law by the Governor as 2007 Wisconsin Act 116.  The legislation was introduced by Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) and Representative Suzanne Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls) in mid-October, 2007.  Both houses approved the measure without opposition.

For the human trafficking offense, ”trafficking” is defined as recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining an individual without the consent of the individual.  The bills penalize those convicted of human trafficking with a fine of $100,000 and/or up to 25 years in prison if the victim is an adult and a fine of $100,000 and/or up to 40 years in prison if the victim is a child. 

For brief summary of the Act, please click on the link for the Legislative Counsel Act Memo below.