The Maryland Legislature has recently enacted three new laws that support prosecution of human trafficking cases and increase protections and support for victims.[1] SB688 discusses child sex trafficking screening and services, SB690 discusses criminalizing labor trafficking in Maryland, and SB689 discusses human trafficking and prostitution offenses.[2]

SB688 was created to provide specialized services for high-risk or trafficked youth, up to and including age 24.[3] Its goal is not only to prevent child sex trafficking from happening, but also to provide the services to heal and rebuild their lives in the future.[4] SB690 targets victims who are forced to provide labor by force, fraud or coercion.[5] These victims are often required to work extremely long hours under brutal conditions, denied simple benefits and live as virtual prisoners.[6] Until this bill was passed, Maryland was far behind compared to the rest of the United States, as one of only three states without a specific labor trafficking statute.[7] SB689 made some huge modifications to the old Maryland Human Trafficking laws, in order to help end human trafficking in the state.[8] Sex trafficking is now recognized as a crime under Maryland law.[9] The use of force, fraud and coercion is now considered a felony, and “mistake of age” can no longer be used as a defense.[10]

Maryland has long been behind the rest of the United States in regard to human trafficking. These three laws are a huge step in the right direction but are nowhere close to where they need to be. Continued change is required to address the human trafficking problem.

Chris Thomas is an associate editor for Law Forum and a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. He will graduate in 2021. He attended undergrad at University of Maryland, College Park.

[1] Human Trafficking Resources, Md Att’y Gen. (Oct., 2020), https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/Public%20Safety/HumanTrafficking.aspx#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20the%20Maryland%20General,who%20are%20victims%20of%20trafficking.

[2] Safe Center Releases 2019 Legislative Report, UMD SAFE Center (June 10, 2019), https://www.umdsafecenter.org/safe-center-releases-2019-legislative-report/.

[3] S.B. 688, 439th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Session (Md. 2019).

[4] Id.

[5] S.B. 690, 439th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Session (Md. 2019).

[6] Safe Center Releases 2019 Legislative Report, UMD SAFE Center (Oct., 2020), https://www.umdsafecenter.org/safe-center-releases-2019-legislative-report/.

[7] Id.

[8] S.B. 689, 439th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Session (Md. 2019).

[9] Safe Center Releases 2019 Legislative Report, UMD SAFE Center (Oct., 2020), https://www.umdsafecenter.org/safe-center-releases-2019-legislative-report/.

[10] Id.