Senate approves measure addressing demand side of human trafficking

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darrell Weaver has won full Senate approval of a measure which, for the first time in Oklahoma, would address the demand side of human trafficking. Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2054, which would strengthen the penalty for “Johns” by changing the crime of paying a person for sex from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Weaver said the bill was requested from the Oklahoma City Police Department’s vice unit.

“Prostitution is far from a victimless crime – many commercial sex workers are actually human trafficking victims,” Weaver said. “A stronger penalty for customers will be a greater deterrent, giving us another tool to reduce human trafficking in our state.”

Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, is the House principal author of the legislation.

"The goal of the bill is to curb the demand driving sex trafficking by increasing the penalty for Johns from a misdemeanor to a felony." Roberts said. "Many of those engaging in prostitution are victims of human trafficking. They made this change in Texas and it was very successful."

HB 2054 now returns to the House for final approval and will then be sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt for consideration.

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For more information, contact:
Sen. Darrell Weaver at 405-521-5569 or email Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov.