Harrisburg, Pa. − June 8, 2026 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair) celebrated the passage of her legislation with Senator Cris Dush (R-25) enabling law enforcement to better target and prosecute prostitution related human trafficking crimes in Pennsylvania.
Events like the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and 250 Anniversary of the United States will attract tens of thousands of fans and visitors from around the country and the world to the Commonwealth. While people enjoy the games and celebrations, it’s important to acknowledge that these events can create an environment vulnerable to human trafficking, especially sex trafficking.
“As a co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral PA Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus, I’m proud of our continued efforts to crack down on trafficking and to help survivors seek the justice they deserve,” said Senator Collett. “This legislation will help our dedicated law enforcement officers hold sex traffickers and buyers accountable – especially in light of the large, international events our Commonwealth is hosting this year.”
Senate Bill 45 will move certain prostitution related offenses to the Human Trafficking section of Title 18 (Crimes Code) and will increase the penalties for most prostitution offenses related to the traffickers and buyers rather than the victims. By moving these offenses to the Human Trafficking section of the Crimes Code, both the Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement agencies will have the ability to effectively identify and prosecute individuals who are participating in human trafficking for prostitution purposes and will allow local District Attorneys more freedom to pursue both sets of charges under trafficking and prostitution.
The legislation was passed 49-1 in the Pennsylvania Senate today and now heads to the Pennsylvania House for consideration.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Caucus.
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