Effective legislation at the state level is important because it gives states the opportunity to create laws that are comprehensive and victim-centered. Additionally, state legislation can catalyze community awareness and increase local media attention, leading to increased victim identification, protection, referral to services, and prosecutions. While there is strong federal legislation in the form of the Trafficking Victims Protections Act, states are uniquely positioned to have an impact on human trafficking.
Polaris Project's U.S. Policy Program works to enact legislation at the state level by partnering with local advocacy organizations, state and local task forces and coalitions, and grassroots advocates to support locally-led anti-trafficking legislative campaigns.
Other program activities include:
- Tracking all pending state legislation related to human trafficking. To see bills tracked in 2010-2011, please click here.
- Drafting and analyzing legislation, providing model laws and guidelines, lobbying, and providing and presenting testimony.
- Compiling research and issue briefs, and assessing current policies on human trafficking, through our annual State Ratings.
- Conducting grassroots outreach and advocacy, including legislative action alerts on critical policy, and organizing lobby days.
- Developing and providing trainings for law enforcement, first responders, and the public.
