Governor ceremonially signs McNamara’s bill to train truckers to spot human trafficking into law
JUNE 2, 2023
STATEHOUSE (June 1, 2023) – Recently, Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed into law State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) legislation to train Indiana’s new truckers and bus drivers on how to spot and report human trafficking.
According to McNamara, chair of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, truck drivers are in a unique position to easily spot signs and victims of human trafficking due to their proximity to remote areas like truck stops and their frequent use of major roadways, which are often used to transport victims. McNamara said she authored House Enrolled Act 1196 to ensure new truck drivers are trained on how to recognize, report and prevent human trafficking on Hoosier roads.
“As the Crossroads of America, Indiana has a special responsibility to ensure our roadways and traffic stops aren’t safe havens for traffickers and other criminals,” McNamara said. “Sex trafficking often occurs at rest areas and truck stops due to their remote nature, and truck drivers could quickly alert police if they know the warning signs. I’m proud to roll out this new initiative with our partners in the trucking industry to ensure more drivers are informed and trained on reporting suspicious activity, which could ultimately help save lives and put criminals behind bars.”
HEA 1196 requires any Hoosier pursuing their commercial driver’s license through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, including truck and bus drivers, to watch a video on how to recognize signs of human trafficking and how to report it to the proper authorities. Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization which spoke in favor of the bill, currently uses a training video to inform drivers about this topic.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 500 tips reported to the Human Trafficking Hotline, with over 41% of the cases reported by truckers involving minors over the last five years. McNamara said young runaways and homeless children are particularly at risk of being sexually exploited by traffickers using major roads to transport victims.
McNamara said there are often red flags that can help identify a potential victim, like if the person has no or very little personal possessions, no identifying documents like a driver’s license, and their communication is restricted or controlled. To report a suspected underage human trafficking victim, contact the Indiana Department of Child Services at 1-800-800-5556 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. While it is advised to never approach a trafficker, if able to approach a potential victim, ask if they need help. If they respond yes, immediately call the police.
Indiana now joins 12 other states with similar laws on the books, including Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois. The National Truckers Association and the Indiana Motor Truck Associations worked with McNamara to craft the legislation.
To learn more about new state laws, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2023-bill-watch/.
