A bill that prevents contractors from doing business in Montgomery County if they violate state of federal human trafficking laws was introduced Tuesday by Councilmember Dawn Luedtke.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking occurs “when individuals are compelled against their will to provide work or service through the use of force, fraud or coercion.”
Luedtke explained the bill is needed to show the county’s commitment to preventing human trafficking. “Working with other advocates to identify and stop this activity that harms people and undermines our communities, this legislation will require anyone doing business with the County to ensure they and their subcontractors are following the law,” Luedtke said.
“I do not have, and no one has, reason to believe that anyone currently doing business with this county through procurement has violated these laws, and I think that is important to state,” Luedtke said.
A public hearing on the bill is set for Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Council President Andrew Friedson, Vice President Kate Stewart and Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Evan Glass, Will Jawando, Gabe Albornoz and Laurie-Anne Sales are cosponsors.
According to a letter Luedtke wrote to her fellow councilmembers, “Human trafficking in its many forms continues to impact our region. Forced labor and child labor are forms of human trafficking that we can take action to prevent and draw attention to through the County’s procurement process.”
The bill requires anyone bidding on work in the county to include certifications of compliance with human trafficking laws and prohibit the contractors and subcontractors from violating those laws.
Penalties included in the bill involve debarment, suspension, contract termination and breach of contract damages.
