Bryant creates human trafficking task force

Gov. Phil Bryant is creating a task force on human trafficking in Mississippi.

"Human trafficking and the people that that fall victim to it are often hard to identify," Bryant said in a statement. "It's a serious crime that often is forgotten, even though we know it is happening. By bringing together the relevant individuals from around the state to take a hard look at best practices and put forth recommendations, we will draw closer to putting a stop to this terrible crime in our state."

Bryant said the task force, which will include representatives from law enforcement, the judicial system, social services, education and community leaders, will examine existing research and conduct its own, review Mississippi's laws and practices and work to strengthen them. It will submit a report and recommendations to Bryant by July 1, 2015. Bryant said the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security will provide staff and administrative support to the group, as will state agencies represented on the task force.

Mississippi lawmakers in 2013 passed tougher laws on human trafficking and bondage -- The Human Trafficking Act -- that were pushed by Attorney General Jim Hood. Hood's office has a human trafficking coordinator who works with state and federal authorities on such cases.

Human trafficking is estimated to be a $35-billion a year business nationwide, and Mississippi advocates and social services workers have reported numerous cases -- including 92 over a two year period helped by one group -- in Mississippi. Advocates have reported that the metropolitan areas of the Coast and Jackson are hubs for human sex trafficking.

Mississippi and at least five other states -- Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont -- have "safe harbor" laws to help victims, making minors immune from prosecution for prostitution and requiring officials to notify proper agencies for protective services once minors are identified.

Bryant's task force will consist of:

(a)One member of the Mississippi State Senate

(b)One member of the Mississippi State House of Representatives

(c)The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi or his designee

(d)The Executive Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security or his designee

(e)The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections or his designee

(f)One Circuit Court Judge

(g)One County Court Judge who has experience handling youth court matters

(h)One District Attorney

(i)One Youth Court Prosecutor from a County Court

(j)A Representative of the Mississippi Department of Education

(k)A Representative of the Mississippi Department of Human Services

(l)A Representative of the Mississippi Department of Health

(m)A Representative of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health

(n)One representative each from the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police and the Mississippi Sheriffs Association with one member being from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the second from the Southaven area

(o)A Representative from a Non-Government Organization who has been involved in assisting victims of human trafficking

(p)A business leader in Mississippi

(q)At the sole discretion of the Governor, additional members with relevant experience.