This session, the Senate unanimously passed SF497, which would provide much needed funding to train Iowa’s law enforcement and justice professionals about human trafficking. This bill also provided funding to cover the cost of sting operations to catch perpetrators and rescue victims. The House of Representatives passed an amended version of SF 497 on Tuesday, but they removed all of the funding!

Currently, SF497 is going to a House Conference Committee, where it will be deliberated again.   With your advocacy, there is a good chance that the Conference Committee will restore funding to the bill and pass it.

Please email or phone the Conference Committee Members today and express your support, using the sample script below or your own statement:

In partnership with the Network Against Human Trafficking and Braking Traffik, I respectfully ask you to pass SF497 in its original version, with full funding, to guarantee that all of Iowa’s law enforcement and justice professionals will be trained to identify human trafficking, rescue victims, and arrest and prosecute perpetrators.

As a resident and citizen of this state, I am very concerned about the growth of human trafficking and the dangers that this crime poses to our children, youth, and families. I want all of Iowa’s law enforcement to be prepared to identify this crime, so that they can help keep our youth safe from victimization. Furthermore, I want our justice professionals trained so that they may effectively prosecute the perpetrators and make Iowa a state where it is not safe to engage in this crime.

SF497 provides for two years of intensive law enforcement training, in addition to funds for covert stings wherein children and youth may be rescued, and their traffickers arrested.

Please pass this important legislation, for the sake of current and future generations of Iowa’s youth.

Here are their email addresses, to copy and paste:
kraig.paulsen@legis.iowa.gov, gary.worthan@legis.iowa.gov, darrel.branhagen@legis.iowa.gov, chris.hagenow@legis.iowa.gov, marti.anderson@legis.iowa.gov, todd.taylor@legis.iowa.gov, linda.upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov, thomas.courtney@legis.iowa.gov, mark.chelgren@legis.iowa.gov, julian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov, rob.hogg@legis.iowa.gov, rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov

You may also call:

All Representatives can be reached by phone at: 515-281-3221

All Senators can be reached by phone at: 515-281-3371

Here are their names:

By on May 9, 2015   /   News