Senate Unanimously Advances Bill Ending Statute Of Limitations For Human Trafficking Cases On Eve Of World Cup

Miniya Malone (NJ State House News Service) 

TRENTON, N.J. – Efforts to eliminate the statute of limitations for human trafficking prosecutions advanced in a Senate committee Thursday just two days before the first World Cup game in East Rutherford. 

Currently, both criminal and civil cases relating to human trafficking must be filed within 5 years. S2566 and S1270 would eliminate the deadline for criminal human trafficking cases, allowing prosecutors to bring cases at any time, and extending victims’ ability to bring civil cases from 5 years to 10.  

“Why is that really important right now? Simple, simple word: World Cup,” said New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking member Claire Vandertuin. “Right at this critical time we have massive numbers of people coming into the state and traffickers who have been planning for literally years to bring what they consider to be products, what we consider to be people, into our state for abuse. We need to let them know: now there’s a firewall.”

“A survivor’s ability to seek justice should not expire simply because their trauma prevented them from coming forward within a predetermined period,” said Joseph Remy, a board of trustees member at the coalition. 

Remy testified in support of the two bills, but added that the legislation could be improved even further if the statute of limitations was additionally fully eliminated for civil cases as well. 

Gina Cavallo, vice-president of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking and a human trafficking survivor herself, told lawmakers how she was not able to seek justice until it was too late. 

“The statute of limitations had expired long before I was able to process my trauma, understand my victimization, and consider pursuing legal action,” said Cavallo, who testified that she was trafficked as a teen. 

“Trauma does not operate on a legislative timeline,” she continued. “Unfortunately, my experience is not unique. It reflects the reality faced by countless victims of human trafficking across the state and throughout the country.” 

The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking additionally advocated for S3946, a separate bill that would offer support through establishing response teams and expanding training and education requirements for the handling of human trafficking cases. 

The elimination of the statute of limitations for criminal cases was challenged by Senator Jon Bramnick, a Republican from Westfield. “Why isn’t 25 years sufficient?” Bramnick questioned. “Why should it be unlimited?” 

Bramnick raised concerns about victims being able to recall accurate information about their cases far after its initial occurrence. 

“I appreciate and respect your question and your concern, but this is about human life,” responded Cavallo. “This is a crime against humanity that discriminates against no one.” 

After a unanimous vote to advance the efforts, legislators plan to combine the measures as one comprehensive bill and move it further to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.