Human Trafficking
Legislative Subcommittee
The legislative committee is responsible for researching best practices within the criminal justice system to combat human trafficking. The committee meets six times a year.
County Bill 9-15 (PDF), Health and Sanitation—Bodywork Establishment—License. The bill was signed into law April 22, 2015. The legislative sub-committee worked with the entire task force to introduce and implement County Bill 9-15. The law is the first of its kind in Maryland, and requires a license to operate a bodywork establishment in the county. Bodyworks establishments are businesses that advertise bodywork services, such as reflexology, acupressure and other practices that fall outside the Maryland State definition of massage, or where any employee, agent or contractor performs bodywork on an individual. The law ensures that legal establishments can operate while providing enforcement against illegal establishments. Licenses are issued through the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Enforcement is done by DHHS and the Montgomery County Police Department.
County Bill 39-15 (PDF) was also established to deter human trafficking in the county. Bill 39-15 makes purchasing prostitution a violation of county law. Although selling or buying prostitution violates the current State Criminal Law prohibiting solicitation of prostitution, Bill 39-15 adds an alternative law enforcement mechanism for the police to combat human trafficking in the County. A person is often forced to work as a prostitute by human traffickers at a young age. The bill authorizes a police officer to issue either a civil or criminal citation to the customer for purchasing prostitution in the county. A civil citation would be prosecuted by the County Attorney's Office and could result in a maximum fine of $500 for a first violation and $750 for subsequent violations. A criminal citation would be prosecuted by the State's Attorney and could result in both a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The bill would be enforceable only against the customer. The bill was signed into law on November 25, 2015.
Legislative Subcommittee Meeting Dates
Meetings are held on third Wednesday, every other month.
- Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
- Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
- Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM