State Rep. Nick Santucci is a lead sponsor on legislation to increase significantly criminal penalties on those convicted of human trafficking.

Called the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, the bill would allow judges to sentence those convicted of human trafficking to life in prison.

“We have a human trafficking problem in Ohio,” Santucci, R-Howland, said. “Our message is clear: if you’re involved in human trafficking and come to our state, we will find you and send you to prison for life.”

Santucci introduced the legislation Thursday with state Rep. Josh Williams as its other lead sponsor. The bill is awaiting a House committee assignment.

“This legislation will demonstrate Ohio’s efforts to hold these evil individuals accountable and enact justice for their victims,” Santucci said.

Current Ohio law allows for a prison term of 10 to 15 years for those convicted of human trafficking.

The new proposal would increase the penalties to a minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison if the victim is an adult. If the victim is a minor, the minimum sentence would be increased to 25 years in prison and up to life as the maximum penalty.

The bill also expands penalties that apply when the victims are under 14 years of age to those under the age of 18.

“We have a moral duty to rescue these victims and ensure that traffickers and abductors face an equitable sentence that reflects the trauma they have caused the victims,” Williams said.

Ohio ranks fifth for the most human-trafficking incidents in the nation, but its rate of 3.84 victims per 100,000 residents puts Ohio at the fourth worst rate in the country as of June 2022, the most recent reporting date from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, an organization that tracks human-trafficking data.

Ohio has one of the largest interstate systems in the country, making it easier for traffickers to transport victims, according to the Ohio Turnpike.

State Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, who signed on as a cosponsor to the bill, said: “Our penalties aren’t strong enough. We must do everything we can to ensure justice for all victims of trafficking.”

In June 2022, legislation was signed into law to close a loophole allowing human trafficking offenders to avoid criminal punishment.

That law allowed prosecutors to pursue legal action against offenders who use drugs and addiction to compel victims of human trafficking. The bill expanded the definition of “compelled” to include the use or manipulation of controlled substances when charging human trafficking offenders with “trafficking in persons” or “compelling prostitution.”