FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jaclyn Kramer
Development Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 755-4120
Email: jkramer@vljnj.org
Newark, NJ – January 12, 2022 – As New Jersey celebrates National Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month, Governor Murphy signed a new law that expands access to vacatur for survivors of human trafficking. The bill, A5322, will help survivors of human trafficking build new lives by expanding the existing list of crimes that can be cleared from their records beyond just prostitution convictions. This will result in real and immediate relief for survivors of both sex and labor trafficking who have been unfairly stigmatized as a result of their convictions. The bill also streamlines the process for survivors pursuing this relief and ensures enhanced privacy protections of the petitions filed in court.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice worked closely with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) to draft the bill at the request of Assemblywoman Mosquera and then support the legislation as it made its way through the legislative process.
Kate Lee, Executive Director of the NJCAHT was thrilled to be able to tell the membership that the bill had been signed. “Today is an incredible day for human trafficking survivors in New Jersey. We are all inspired by the individuals who will be impacted by this law and are thrilled to see the power of grassroots advocacy yield such tremendous results.”
Jessica Kitson, VLJ’s Director of Legal Advocacy and member of the NJCAHT, authored the bill at the request of Assemblywoman Mosquera. She noted that “by signing this bill into law, Governor Murphy is providing a new way forward for countless survivors whose path to freedom has been stalled because of criminal convictions that are a direct result of their trafficking. VLJ is deeply grateful to the Governor and to all of the legislators who made this legislation possible.”
The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate unanimously before making its way to Governor Murphy’s desk. Assemblywoman Gabriela M. Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester) first introduced the legislation, which was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R- Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). The Primary Sponsors of the bill on the Senate side were Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Morris/Somerset/Union), along with co-Sponsors Senators Troy Singleton, Nellie Pou and Vin Gopal.
About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 2,500 people—including veterans, children, tenants, families, and victims of human trafficking—through 9 pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.