Governor Kemp Signs HB993 into Law

On Wednesday, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law several important bills designed to protect young people and women from sexual abuse, grooming, and sex trafficking.

Among those bills as we’ve been telling you was HB993 authored by State Rep. Alan Powell which makes the grooming of a minor for sex a felony.

Before signing the bill, Governor Kemp said he was honored to have the family of Jennifer Cobb on hand to witness the signing of the bill they worked so hard to get passed.

The bill’s author Rep. Alan Powell, also credited the hard work of the Cobb family to bring the issue of grooming to light as well as the prosecuting attorney’s office for helping perfect the legal wording of HB993.

In addition to HB993, the Governor signed two other important bills that crack down on human trafficking.

House Bill 1201 allows the vacating of prison sentences for victims of human trafficking who have been convicted of crimes committed while they were being victimized.

Kemp said those victimized by the sex trafficking industry deserve a chance to rebuild their lives.

Senate Bill 370 will expand the businesses required to post notices containing information on how to reach a human trafficking hotline to include convenience stores, tattoo parlors, manufacturing facilities, and medical offices.

The law already includes bars, airports, rail and bus stations, truck stops, highway rest areas, and adult entertainment establishments.