The Augustan

Representatives Tim Driscoll (D-Westbrook) and Ann Peoples (D-Westbrook) supported LD 461 on Thursday, March 6, 2008. The bill, according to the Maine Votes database, contains the recommendations of the Human Trafficking Task Force. Recommendations include:

• The enactment of "a law criminalizing involuntary servitude and human trafficking, making them Class B offenses, with enhancement to Class A in certain circumstances, and specifying certain defenses that do not apply to involuntary servitude or human trafficking offenses."
• The authorization of the court "to order forfeiture of assets acquired as a result of human trafficking."
• The ability for human trafficking victims to collect damages and compensation "through criminal restitution law and the Victims' Compensation Fund."
• The prohibition of travel agencies throughout Maine from "advertising or arranging the travel for commercial sexual purposes."
• The requirement of "commercial international matchmaking organizations operating with the State to inform recruits and clients of the right to information on the other person's criminal, marital, protection from abuse, harassment and other official records."

The Maine House of Representatives passed the legislation, 139-0. Ninety-three percent of House Democrats supported the bill, 0% of Democrats opposed the bill, and 6% of Democrats did not vote. Eighty-nine percent of Republicans supported the bill, 0% of Republicans opposed it, and 10% did not vote. And finally, 50% of independents supported LD 461, and 50% of independents did not vote.

- John C.L. Morgan