HARRISBURG – March 24, 2026 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12), Senator Cris Dush (R-25), Senator Marty Flynn (D-22), Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Rep. Danilo Burgos (D-197), Representative Kate Klunk (R-169), Representative Clint Owlett (R-68)AND Rep. Regina G. Young (D-185) today announced the formation and legislative priorities of a fresh bipartisan, bicameral group in the state legislature: the Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Caucus.
The mission of the PA AHT Club is facilitate adoption of AHT legislation; educate other elected officials, partner organizations and the public on AHT issues; AND spokesman on behalf of the AHT organization.
“Each of us deserves a safe, healthy and dignified life,” Collett said. “This new caucus will allow us to build on the progress we have made in improving bipartisan anti-trafficking legislation, strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, and send a strong message to Pennsylvanians: we will not budge.”
“Trafficking human beings, especially children, is a sickening evil. Unfortunately, it is an evil that is rapidly evolving into the number one criminal enterprise in the world and is taking place in our own communities. We must quickly adopt the necessary legislation to facilitate the rescue and recovery of victims,” Dush said. “This group of eight brilliant and innovative legislators formed this caucus to advance the passage of impactful legislation by evaluating and making bipartisan and bicameral recommendations to each of the four sets of leadership in the General Assembly and to the Governor.”
Specific anti-trafficking provisions unanimously approved by the AHT Caucus Steering Committee include:
- Senate Bill No. 45 – This legislation, supported by the state Office of the Attorney General, would move most prostitution-related crimes, such as patronizing prostitutes and promoting prostitution, to the human trafficking section of the state penal code. The Bill also expands the jurisdiction of the Attorney-General’s office to enable it to better combat human trafficking within the Commonwealth.
- House Bill 910 – This legislation would augment the crime of child trafficking from a first-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
“Today we take a step forward – not as Democrats or Republicans – but as public servants united by a common goal,” Burgos said. “Human trafficking is a reality. It’s happening here in Pennsylvania. National Human Trafficking Hotline statistics consistently rank Pennsylvania among the states with the most reported cases.”
“Human trafficking is one of the most challenging issues we face because it often remains hidden. The reality requires a more coordinated response,” Flynn said. “This caucus is focused on improving the way we identify cases at an early stage and ensuring victims are supported when they come forward. It also means taking a closer look at how our laws are applied and where we can do better. This is ongoing work that requires the involvement of people on both sides of the aisle if we are to hold traffickers accountable.”
The PA AHT Club also expressed gratitude to the following AHT-focused organizations that support the creation of this club: The Asservo Project, Bloom, Greenlight Operation, Laurel House, Mission Kids, Montgomery County Women’s Center, Taylor Diversion Program, ZOE International and Zonta.
“Pennsylvania ranks among the top 10 states in the nation for human trafficking. This is a sad, disturbing reality that our caucus knows we must address,” Klunk said. “That’s why we’re working together to raise awareness and support legislative action to combat human trafficking. One victim of this heinous crime is too many. We stand ready to work with stakeholders, victims and other legislators to make a lasting impact in our community.”
“One of the keys to stopping human trafficking is education and public awareness. I saw the value of this firsthand when a grandmother who attended one of my local human trafficking seminars last year told me weeks later that the information she gathered there saved her granddaughter’s life,” Owlett said. “I am excited about the opportunity this club will provide to educate all Pennsylvanians so that we can aid protect our children and push these vile criminals out of the ‘business.’
“For as long as I have been a legislator, I have been working to end human trafficking. It is an unfortunate evil that lurks in our region due to its easy access to interstate and international transportation hubs,” Young said. “The honest testimony we heard reinforces the need to train hotel, motel and other accommodation workers to be aware of warning signs and report them. We can end human trafficking by educating and speaking up on behalf of these most vulnerable victims.”
Human trafficking is organized crime operating in real time – exploiting and enslaving millions of women and children and illegally generating over $150 billion worldwide every year.
“Human trafficking has no place in Pennsylvania. We have made great progress, but there is still much work to be done,” Phillips-Hill said. “I hope our colleagues will continue to join us in this bipartisan fight to protect victims, hold traffickers accountable and strengthen our laws.”
“Awareness of the statistics and horrors of human trafficking is useless without serious legislative action,” Dush said. “As a retired law enforcement officer and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was proud to have played a key role in securing over $2 million over the last two budget cycles to establish and expand Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Human Trafficking Section. With today’s official launch of the bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus, I look forward to working together and driving even more priority anti-trafficking initiatives across the finish line.”
Through the employ of force, fraud and coercion, human traffickers push their victims into degrading forms of exploitation, including domestic work and commercial sexual exploitation. If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
