Athens Rep introduces sex trafficking bill

Athens State Rep Houston Gaines is pushing a bill that would crack down on human trafficking: the measure from Republican Gaines would take away the commercial drivers licenses of those convicted of sex trafficking in Georgia.

“Survivors and victims across Georgia are counting on us to bring this evil activity into the light and work together to end this horrific industry,” said Rep. Gaines. “I want to thank the first lady and governor for their commitment to this issue, and I am proud to join with them, the GRACE Commission and advocates across the state to find ways to defeat human trafficking in Georgia.”

The legislation would allow the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services to revoke a person’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued in Georgia, as well as permanently disqualify him or her from driving a commercial motor vehicle if he or she is convicted of trafficking an individual for labor servitude or sexual servitude and used a commercial motor vehicle to commit the offense. This legislation would work in accordance with a federal regulation that was created by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2019.