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Bill > S4314
NJ S4314
NJ S4314Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms.
summary
Introduced
05/12/2025
05/12/2025
In Committee
05/12/2025
05/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms. The Commission on Human Trafficking is a 15-member commission in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The commission is currently required to evaluate the existing law concerning human trafficking and the enforcement thereof, and to make recommendations for legislation, if appropriate. The commission also is charged with the responsibility of reviewing existing victim assistance programs, and promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources for victims of human trafficking. The commission is required to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature as to its activities, as well as its findings and recommendations for any needed new laws, services, or resources for victims of human trafficking. Recent FBI investigations reveal that some human traffickers have used popular online gaming platforms to victimize children. Based on news reports related to these investigations, predators may groom children on online gaming sites through chats or voice communications and then convince them to switch over to other social media platforms, which provides predators with greater access to information about their potential victims. Under the bill, in addition to its existing duties, the commission also is required to investigate methods by which human traffickers use video game and social media platforms to locate and abuse children and other human trafficking victims; develop solutions to prevent human trafficking through video game and social media platforms; and make recommendations for legislation to implement these solutions.
AI Summary
This bill expands the responsibilities of the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking, which is a 15-member commission within the Division of Criminal Justice, to address the growing problem of human trafficking through online gaming and social media platforms. Specifically, the bill adds a new duty for the commission to research and investigate how human traffickers use video games and social media to locate and exploit children and other potential victims. The commission will be required to develop solutions to prevent such trafficking and recommend legislative actions to address these methods. This expansion comes in response to recent FBI investigations revealing that predators are using online gaming platforms to groom and target children, often by initiating contact through in-game chats or voice communications and then attempting to move interactions to other social media platforms where they can gather more information about potential victims. The bill maintains the commission's existing responsibilities, which include evaluating human trafficking laws, reviewing victim assistance programs, promoting public awareness, and providing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature about their findings and recommendations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 05/12/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4314 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4314_I1.HTM |
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