ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ New York State will begin sealing the court records of minors who are the victims of human trafficking to protect their privacy.
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law Thursday. It creates new rules that ensure any court records of young victims are kept secret so they don't have to explain their victimization to future employers. The court records could only be unsealed for use in prosecuting traffickers.
The new law also contains greater protections for young trafficking victims who face charges such as prostitution or loitering. And the victims will have greater access to housing and other services.
The measure was sponsored by Republican Sen. Andrew Lanza of Staten Island and Democratic Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Scarsdale. Paulin says the law is an important step in helping exploited children.
