The Nebraska Legislature will have an important opportunity this year to address the issue of human trafficking in our state.

Increase Penalties for Trafficking

A bill to increase penalties for human trafficking has been introduced by Senator Patty Pansing-Brooks (LB 289). This bill that would significantly strengthen Nebraska’s laws relating to penalties for human trafficking for both the trafficker and the buyer.

By increasing penalties, LB289 will do two primary things:

  1. Empower law enforcement to go after the issue of human trafficking by motivating them to spend resources and pursue criminals engaged in trafficking, and
  2. Deter traffickers from coming to Nebraska.

Nebraska Family Alliance has been proud to help collaborate on this piece of anti-human trafficking legislation and will continue to advocate for its passage into law.

Penalties Should Match the Crime

While we are grateful for the work our state has done to address this critical issue, we also realize that currently the penalties do not match the severity of the crime.

Increasing the penalties for human trafficking in our state will help deter crime and allow Nebraska to get ahead of the issue by reducing the number of future victims and providing better restitution to victims.

In a press release, Senator Pansing Brooks stated:

The traffickers and purchasers who prey upon and enslave vulnerable individuals and children should be on notice. Nebraska will no longer tolerate their heinous conduct.

The chance of persecution and the severity of penalties will be increased should anyone contemplate abusing Nebraska’s most vulnerable again. Not in Nebraska. Not ever.”

Nebraska can recognize the severity of human trafficking and minimize this form of modern day slavery by passing LB 289 into law and ensure that anyone engaged in human trafficking in Nebraska will face severe penalties for such an abhorrent crime.


Nate GraszNate Grasz | @NateGrasz_NFA

Nate is the Policy Director of Nebraska Family Alliance

Nebraska Family Alliance
Nebraska Family Alliance exists to advance family, freedom and life by influencing policy, mobilizing prayer, and empowering people.
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