♪♪ >>> SAT DOWN AND TALKED A LOT, I'VE LOOKED IN THEIR EYES, I'VE CRIED WITH THEM, YOU KNOW?

IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

BUT IT ALSO -- I'M GOING TO FIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM, AND THEY KNOW THAT.

>> GEORGIA'S FIRST LADY, MARTY KEMP, TALKS ABOUT WHY SHE'S DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS 12th DAY OF THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP A LITTLE LATER IN THE SHOW.

SHE'LL EXPLAIN HOW HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXISTS IN NEARLY EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

SHE'LL ALSO TALK TO A LAWMAKER SEEKING TO MAKE SURE VICTIMS CAN SUE THEIR HUMAN TRAFFICKERS AND BUSINESSES THAT ALLOW TRAFFICKING TO TAKE PLACE.

AND WE'LL TALK WITH A LAWMAKER WHOSE PERSONAL STORY OF BEING STALKED FOR TWO YEARS LED HER TO INTRODUCE A BILL TO HELP ALL VICTIMS OF STALKING.

>>> FIRST WE HEAD TO THE CAPITOL WITH CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS, WHO IS UNDER THE GOLD DOME WITH THE LATEST ON WHAT HAPPENED THERE TODAY, BRENDA?

>> Reporter: HELLO, DONNA.

GEORGIA'S AMENDED BUDGET 2021 TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD TODAY AS IT CLEARED OUT OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

CHAIRMAN BLAKE TILLERY TALKED ABOUT KEY ADDITIONS BY HIS COMMITTEE.

THE FIRST WAS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH DR. TOOMEY AND HER STAFF, WE WERE ABLE TO DIN POINT TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THAT IF WE COULD FUND, WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL FOR HER DURING THIS TIME.

WE DID THAT THROUGH AN EXTRA ADD TO A PERSON FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP WITH I.T.

ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN GOING ON WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

AND ALSO TO HELP HER WITH FINANCING TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THESE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH AND MAKING SURE WE'RE USING THEM EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER WAS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> WE'VE CREATED A NEW POSITION TO ASSIST AND OVERSEE THE COMMISSIONER IN HIS DUTIES CONCERNING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE MATTERS AND TO ENSURE TIMELY RESPONSES TO FINANCIAL AUDITS.

>> Reporter: TAMRON TILLERY TELLS US THAT HE EXPECTS THE AMENDED 2021 BUDGET TO BE ON THE SENATE FLOOR FOR VOTE BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

THIS BUDGET FUNDS STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH JUNE 30th.

HOUSE BILL 270 PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS MORNING WITH REPRESENTATIVE BARRY FLEMING HEADING THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY.

THE BILL PROPOSES NEW TIME PERIODS CONCERNING THE MAILING AND ALSO ISSUANCE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

ANOTHER WAS -- MAJOR CHANGES CENTERED AROUND ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> UNDER CURRENT GEORGIA LAW, IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR REQUEST IN BY FRIDAY BEFORE THE TUESDAY ELECTION, YOU HAVE GOT IT IN TOO LATE.

AND OUR POINT IS THAT DEADLINE DOESN'T WORK.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS MOVING THE DEADLINE UNDER CURRENT LAW TO A PLACE WHERE IT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE ASSURED OF WORKING.

>> IF ANYTHING, THIS LEGISLATION, I THINK, SETS LIMITS OF WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO VOTE, YOU'VE GOT TO GET THAT REQUEST IN, OR YOU SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY.

>> TO ME, THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS HERE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT BE A SENT TEE BALLOTS CAST HAVE VALID -- ARE VALID AND ARE COUNTED.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS SENT TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE LATER TODAY.

>>> FROM THE SENATE FLOOR, MORE VOICES GIVEN TO GEORGIA'S FOSTER CARE CHILDREN.

SENATOR CHUCK PAINE ALONG WITH FIVE OTHERS SPONSORED SENATE BILL 20.

>> SENATE BILL 20 WILL SIMPLY ADD THREE NEW POSITIONS TO THIS COMMITTEE IN RELATION TO FOSTER CARE.

SENATE BILL 20 PRESCRIBES THAT THESE THREE POSITIONS SHALL INCLUDE ONE CURRENT OR FORMER FOSTER PARENT, ONE FORMER FOSTER CHILD, AND ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SERVED AT LEAST THREE YEARS AS A COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE.

>> Reporter: THOSE NEW POSITIONS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THE BILL PASSED 48-0.

>>> IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THIS AFTERNOON WHEN REPRESENTATIVE PHILIP SINGLETON HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO TALK ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION TO PRESERVE FEMALE-ONLY SPORTS.

NEARLY 40 HOUSE MEMBERS WHO COSPONSORED THE MEASURE STOOD BEHIND REPRESENTATIVE SINGLETON, ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF FEMALE ATHLETES, INCLUDING HIS DAUGHTER.

>> MY DAUGHTER EMMA DESERVES TO COMPETE ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

TODAY I INTRODUCE HOUSE BILL 276.

THIS BILL DOES TWO THINGS.

FIRST, NO PUBLIC SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO ALLOW BIOLOGICAL MALES TO PARTICIPATE IN GIRL-ONLY SPORTS.

SECOND, ANY STUDENT WHO'S DEPRIVED OF AN ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITY OR SUFFERS DIRECT OR INDIRECT HARM AS A RESULT OF A VIOLATION OF THIS LAW SHALL HAVE A PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, DAMAGES, AND ANY OTHER RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER LAW.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY BEHIND REPRESENTATIVE SINGLETON AS MANY STEPPED UP TO THE MIC TO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 276, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HIS 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, EMMA.

>> I'M PROUD OF MY DADDY FOR DOING THIS BILL.

HE PROTECTS ME EVERY DAY AND HELPS ME TO ACCOMPLISH MY DREAMS.

AND HE IS FIGHTING FOR ALL THE OTHER GIRLS TOO.

>> Reporter: EAGER FOR BILLS TO MAKE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR, SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON SAID THIS TO RULES CHAIRMAN RICHARD SMITH JUST BEFORE ADJOURNMENT TODAY.

>> WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE SOME BILLS?

I DON'T -- I MEAN, I'M NOT REALLY PUSHING FOR THEM.

>> WELL -- I GUESS WHENEVER WE GET SOME.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

WE MAY JUST PASS A BUDGET AND GO HOME, RIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN?

>> Reporter: I HAD TO LAUGH AT THAT ONE, DONNA, THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE IT.

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> ALWAYS LOVE DID HEAR FROM THE HOUSE SPEAKER, THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE GEARS A BIT AND TALK ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE 1.5 MILLION HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN THE UNITED STATES.

MOST ARE CHILDREN.

THE INFORMATION IS DISTURBING TO HEAR, BUT IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA, ALL OVER THE STATE.

GEORGIA'S FIRST LADY, MARTY KEMP, IS PASSIONATE ABOUT COMBATING THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL FRONTS.

AWARENESS AND ACTION, INCLUDING CHANGING LAWS.

I RECENTLY SAT DOWN TO TALK WITH MRS. KEMP ABOUT GEORGIANS FOR REFUGE, ACTION, COMPASSION, EDUCATION COMMISSION, THE G.R.A.C.E.

COMMISSION.

>> THE G.R.A.C.E.

COMMISSION WAS FORMED BECAUSE WE WENT TO A PRESS CONFERENCE JANUARIED 2 OF 2019, BECAUSE THE SUPER BOWL WAS BEING PLAYED IN ATLANTA.

THEY HAD 72 SCHOOL BUSES WHICH REPRESENTED THE 3,600 KIDS, BOYS AND GIRLS, THAT ARE TAKEN INTO TRAFFICKING IN GEORGIA EVERY YEAR.

AND AFTER BEING ON THE CAMPAIGN FOR 2 1/2 YEARS, WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS?

WHY AM I NOT HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

I MADE IT ONE OF MY INITIATIVES.

THE G.R.A.C.E.

COMMISSION WAS FORMED.

WE BROUGHT ALL THE EXPERTS TO THE TABLE JUST TO LEARN EVERYTHING THAT WE POSSIBLY COULD, WHAT WAS NEEDED, WHAT WE NEEDED TO BE DOING, AND HELPING THEM, YOU KNOW -- WE'RE JUST NOT REINVENTING THE WHEEL.

WHAT IS EVERYBODY DOING, SO WE CAN HELP THEM IN WHATEVER WAY WE COULD.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE IN LITTLE POCKETS OF ORGANIZATIONS HELPING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> BUT YOU'RE BRINGING THEM TOGETHER?

>> THEY'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS 10, 20, 30 YEARS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN HELP GIVE THEM A VOICE TO MAKE IT LOUDER AND TALK ABOUT IT, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT GEORGIA IN PARTICULAR.

WE TEND TO THINK THAT THIS IS A METRO ATLANTA PROBLEM.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> NO, IT IS NOT.

WE SPENT THE FIRST YEAR REALLY VISITING AND GOING AROUND THE STATE, TO THE COAST, TO THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, ALL OVER, JUST TO LEARN EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD AND WHAT WAS NEEDED.

WE LEARNED AT THE END OF THE SIX MONTHS, OR YEAR, THAT EDUCATION AND AWARENESS IS KEY, THAT WE NEEDED TO TEACH PEOPLE WHAT TO LOOK FOR, EDUCATE THEM ABOUT IT, THAT IT DOES EXIST.

AND THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED 145 OUT OF 159 COUNTIES, BUT TO ME, I KNOW IT'S 159 OF 159 COUNTIES.

WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT.

SO THAT WAS IMPORTANT, TO HAVE EDUCATION PIECE ON THIS.

>> I WONDER IF THAT SURPRISED YOU, HOW PERVASIVE IT IS IN OUR STATE?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK -- IT DID SURPRISE ME, ALL OF IT SURPRISES ME.

BUT THE MORE I'VE LEARNED ABOUT IT AND THE MORE I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT AND TALKED TO SURVIVORS, WHAT THAT -- THAT IS WHAT SURPRISED ME, ACTUALLY, THAT IT IS REAL, AND WHAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH, AND HOW WE DESPERATELY NEED TO HELP THEM.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OUTSIDE OF METRO ATLANTA, THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT METRO ATLANTA, IN TERMS OF THE BOYS OR GIRLS BEING RECRUITED.

>> IT'S EVERYWHERE.

IT DOESN'T HIT ANY AGE -- WELL, IT DOES HIT AN AGE LIMIT, BUT IT DOESN'T HIT ANY INCOME, SO IT'S NOT A POVERTY -- IT IS A POVERTY AND WEALTHY, IT GOES ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE ARE NO HALL PASSES FOR IT.

IT AFFECTS EVERYONE.

SO THAT HAS BEEN SHOCKING TO ME.

A LITTLE -- I MEAN, SURPRISING TO ME.

THAT IT GOES -- AFFECTS EVERYONE.

BUT IT'S IN ALL OF OUR COUNTIES.

IT'S JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE IT.

SO THAT'S -- OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR -- THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE OUR MAJOR INTERSTATES, AND SO THAT HAS -- IS WHAT BRINGS IT THROUGH GEORGIA SO MUCH.

>> THE INTERSTATES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TRUCK STOPS, THOSE ARE A REAL FOCUS.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND THAT'S AN AREA WE DON'T THINK ABOUT, I DON'T THINK, UNTIL YOU WERE ABLE TO HELP BRING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.

>> EXACTLY.

I RIDE BY NOW AND LOOK AT HOTELS, RUNDOWN HOTELS, TRUCK STOPS, ALL DIFFERENT THINGS, YOU KNOW.

YOU SEE REAL EXPENSIVE CARS OUTSIDE OF VERY RUNDOWN HOTELS, THAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW, BRINGS A RED FLAG UP.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE?

SO THAT'S SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT AND TALKED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT, AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY, VERY RECEPTIVE TO HELP AND JUST BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER.

JUST TO TALK ABOUT IT AND COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

>> THE OTHER THING I'VE HEARD IS SOMETIMES THOSE WHO ARE RUNNING THESE OPERATIONS HAVE BECOME SOPHISTICATED IN KNOWING THAT GIRLS OUT OF SCHOOL -- I'LL SAY GIRLS IN PARTICULAR -- THAT THAT'S A RED FLAG.

SO THEY'LL MAKE SURE THEY STILL EVEN ATTEND SCHOOL, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, I THINK THERE WAS A STORY, I'M PRETTY SURE LAST YEAR, A YOUNG LADY SAID, I WAS GOING TO BASKETBALL PRACTICE, I WAS GOING TO VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE, WHEREVER, AND I WAS GOING HOME AND BEING TRAFFICKED.

SO IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, IT'S JUST BEING AWARE WHAT WAS WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

THAT'S WHY WE'VE GOT TO GET THESE KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.

THEIR TEACHERS RECOGNIZE A LOT OF THINGS, AND THEY CAN SEE A LOT.

LEARNING ONLINE, WHERE IT IS GREAT AND CREATIVE IN THE VIRTUAL, BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE CONTACTING THE YOUNG LADIES OR THE YOUNG MEN.

>> I DID A SHOW RECENTLY WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT CHILD ABUSE, NUMBERS GOING DOWN, AND YET WE KNOW THAT CHILD ABUSE IS STILL HAPPENING.

AND IT'S BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL.

WHAT DO WE KNOW IN TERMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

IT'S STILL TAKING PLACE.

HOW IS IT HAPPENING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT?

>> THAT'S THE SAD THING, WE DON'T KNOW, BECAUSE THEY'RE AT HOME SO WE'RE NOT ABLE TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TEACHERS THAT CAN TALK TO THEM, NOTICE A DIFFERENCE.

I DON'T WANT TO KEEP PUTTING SO MUCH MORE ON OUR TEACHERS, BUT THEY SEE SO MUCH, THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THAT THEY CAN READ THE KIDS -- OF COURSE, KNOW THE KIDS SO MUCH BETTER, SO WE'VE GOT TO GET THEM BACK IN SCHOOL.

>> THE OTHER PROBLEM IS, AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL TOO, I UNDERSTAND, WHERE WE HEAR ABOUT "SUGARING."

I'VE HEARD THE TERM.

SUGAR MAMAS, SUGAR DADDIES, WHERE ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHERE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE FOR MONEY, THEY MAY THINK THAT THIS IS A WAY TO GO.

>> EXACTLY.

AND WE HAVE -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS.

21, 20, 18.

TWO ARE AT UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

THEY HAVE NOTICED JUST THROUGH TALKING ABOUT THIS, OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER GOT A BUNCH OF SORORITY PRESIDENTS TOGETHER THE FIRST YEAR IN 2019, AND WAS LIKE, MOM, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRAVELING OVERSEAS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM TOOLS TO LOOK FOR SO THEY CAN PAY ATTENTION.

SO WE HAD A SPECIAL AGENT COME TALK TO THEM, SAT AROUND THE SOORITY HOUSE, HAD THEM ASK QUESTIONS, AND IT GAVE THEM MORE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW WHAT TO RECOGNIZE.

SEVERAL HAVE TEXTED, CALLED ME, SAID, I SAW SOMEBODY THAT TRIED TO APPROACH ME, BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME THAT, WE HAD THAT MEETING, I WAS MUCH MORE AWARE OF NOT TALKING TO THEM, OR GOING ON AND JUST WATCHING MY SURROUNDINGS.

THAT WAS BIG.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRAINING.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU THINK HAVE BEEN TRAINED SINCE JANUARY OF 2020?

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PUT TOGETHER THE TRAINING, IT'S A 30-MINUTE TRAINING, IT'S VERY CHILD FRIENDLY, IF YOU COULD SAY, ANYBODY COULD TAKE IT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE IT.

>> YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THE MINDSET OF PEOPLE WHO THINK, OH, THESE ARE BAD GIRLS IN A SENSE.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> TO SAY THEY'RE THE VICTIMS.

>> RIGHT, THAT THEY'RE SURVIVORS, AND THAT WE CAN HELP THEM START A NEW LIFE.

THEY'VE BEEN ROBBED OF THEIR CHILDHOOD.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A NORMAL CHILDHOOD, AS MOST NORMAL GIRLS.

AND THAT'S REALLY SAD.

IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT THEY DIDN'T GET THAT OPPORTUNITY.

TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM GET THEIR FEEDBACK ON THE GROUND IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND I'VE SAT DOWN AND TALKED TO A LOT OF THEM.

I'VE LOOKED IN THEIR EYES.

I'VE CRIED WITH THEM.

AND IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

BUT IT ALSO -- I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM, AND THEY KNOW THAT.

THEY DEFINITELY KNOW THAT.

SO IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE TRAFFICKED MORE THAN ONCE A NIGHT?

EVERY DAY?

>> I'VE BEEN TOLD 40 TIMES A NIGHT, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.

>> THAT IS TRULY HEARTBREAKING.

>> IT'S UNTHINKABLE.

THAT IS UNTHINKABLE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS -- I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN.

>> THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN, ABSOLUTELY, THEY'RE OUR FUTURE, AND THEY NEED TO BE TREATED MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN THAT, DEFINITELY.

>> I KNOW RIGHT NOW, THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT YOU'RE PUSHING, TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SENATE BILL 34 IS GOING TO HELP THEM WITH THE NAME CHANGE.

THERE'S NO REASON THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PUT THEIR NAME IN THE PAPER FOR FOUR WEEKS IN A ROW.

THEY'RE TRYING TO ESCAPE AND NOT BE LOCATED.

I MEAN, FOR THEM TO HAVE TO DO THAT IS, YOU KNOW -- GETTING RECOGNIZED AGAIN.

>> EXPLAIN THAT.

WHEN THEY GO INTO THE COURT SYSTEM, THEY HAVE TO PUBLISH THEIR NAME?

>> IT HAS TO BE POSTED IN THE PAPER FOR FOUR WEEKS.

SO THAT LETS THE TRAFFICKER FIND THEM AGAIN.

WHEN THEY'VE BEEN RUNNING AND TRYING TO BE SAFE.

SO THAT WILL ALLOW THEM NOT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.

THAT CAME FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT'S A SURVIVOR.

AND THEN THE CIVIL DAMAGES, SENATE BILL 33, THAT ALLOWS THEM TO SUE OR -- TO SUE THEIR TRAFFICKER AND THEN ALSO TO BE ABLE TO HOLD OTHER PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE THAT PLAYED A PART IN IT.

>> WHAT'S NEXT STEPS FOR YOU AND THE G.R.A.C.E.

COMMISSION?

>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING.

WE NEED A LOT OF FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE.

WE OPENED UP OUR FIRST RECEIVING CENTER EVER.

SO IT ALLOWS, INSTEAD OF -- IT ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THESE INDIVIDUALS SOMEWHERE, INSTEAD OF TO PRISON.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THEY COULD TAKE THEM.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW -- THEY RECOGNIZE MORE OF IT, SO THEY CAN TAKE THEM TO SAFETY, GET THEM THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO OPENING SOME MORE OF THOSE.

THEN HELP THEM WITH THEIR STEPS, HELP THEM GET A JOB, WORK WITH CORPORATIONS TO LET THEM DO INTERNSHIPS OR JUST -- GET THEM BACK TO SOMEWHAT OF A NORMAL LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION.

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH ME AND SHINING A LIGHT ON IT AS WELL.

THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT, THE MORE PEOPLE WILL LEARN.

SO THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO THANK FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP FOR THE CONVERSATION ON THE G.R.A.C.E.

COMMISSION SHE CREATED TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WE'LL LOOK AT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT BY LOOKING AT CURRENT LEGISLATION.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT A BILL TO END STALKING.

THE LAWMAKER WHO HAS A PERSONAL REASON FOR WANTING TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW.

"LAWMAKERS" ON GPB WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> "LAWMAKERS" MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAMWORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB, I'M DONNA LOWRY.

CONTINUING OUR CONVERSATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN GEORGIA.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT ISSUES SURROUNDING STALKING ALSO.

NEW LEGISLATOR MISHA MAINER, REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BONNER, WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

REPRESENTATIVE BONNER, YOU'RE SPONSORING TWO OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING BILLS IN THE HOUSE.

START WITH H-B177.

IT INVOLVES FILING CIVIL SUITS AGAINST THE PERPETRATOR OR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IN THE FACILITIES WHO MAY KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> RIGHT, THANK YOU, GONNA.

THIS HOUSE BILL CREATES A NEW STATE CAUSE OF ACTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO SEEK CIVIL DAMAGES AGAINST THOSE THAT TRAFFIC THEM OR THOSE THAT KNOWINGLY PROFITED FROM THAT TRAFFICKING.

SO THIS MIRRORS A FEDERAL LAW WHICH IS OF THE SAME TYPE THAT REALLY ADDS SOME TEETH TO THE LAW TO ALLOW THESE VICTIMS TO ACTUALLY RECOVER DAMAGES.

UP UNTIL THIS POINT, THEY'VE ONLY -- THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE ANYTHING.

THOSE THAT TRAFFICKED THEM MIGHT RECEIVE SOME SORT OF CRIMINAL PENALTY, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HELD LIABLE FOR ANY CIVIL PENALTY.

SO THIS CREATES THAT NEW CAUSE OF ACTION HERE IN GEORGIA TO HELP THOSE VICTIMS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY, IS IT?

IT'S SOMETIMES, FOR THESE WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE -- YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS THAT CAN BE INVOLVED -- IT'S ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO SOMETHING AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO TRAFFICKED THEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S NOT ONLY FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT ACTUALLY ARE DOING THE TRAFFICKING, BUT ALSO THOSE PLACES THAT FACILITATE TRAFFICKING, RIGHT?

THOSE PLACES THAT KNOWINGLY PROFIT FROM THAT AND HAVE SOME SORT OF KNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S TAKING PLACE, EITHER AT THEIR FACILITY, AT THEIR BUSINESS, OR WITHIN THEIR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE.

SO AGAIN, THIS TAKES THAT TO THE NEXT LEVEL TO PUT FOLKS ON NOTICE THAT NOT ONLY DO WE -- WE DON'T WANT IT HAPPENING HERE IN GEORGIA, BUT WE DON'T EVEN WANT ANYBODY CONTEMPLATING IT HAPPENING ON THEIR PROPERTY, AS A PART OF THEIR BUSINESS, ANYWHERE IN THEIR CORPORATE STRUCTURE.

>> I KNOW THE TRAINING MRS. KEMP TALKED ABOUT TAKES PLACE WITH HOTEL EMPLOYEES, WITH TRUCK STOP EMPLOYEES, SO EVERYBODY AT LEAST KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE FOCUS WAS REALLY TO TARGET THOSE BUSINESSES AND THOSE INDUSTRIES WHERE HUMAN TRAFFICKING TYPICALLY TAKES PLACE, OR IS MOST LIKELY TO BE IDENTIFIED.

AND SO THAT TRAINING HAS GONE VERY WELL.

IT'S A 30-MINUTE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP HAS REALLY CHAMPIONED.

WE'VE GOTTEN A GREAT RESPONSE FROM IT SO FAR.

>> THAT'S GOOD.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK MORE WITH YOU IN A MOMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND TALK ABOUT STALKING.

AND WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MAYNARD, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

YOU HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH STALKING.

I KNOW THAT IT'S STILL GOING THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM SO YOU CAN'T GET INTO SPECIFICS.

TELL US WHAT YOU CAN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU.

>> WHERE DO I BEGIN?

SO THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS.

STARTED OFF WITH A CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER.

I DO KNOW THE PERSON THROUGH MUTUAL FRIENDS.

ASKED HIM TO LEAVE MY CAMPAIGN FOR REASONS -- MY ENTIRE STAFF ASKED ME TO DISMISS HIM FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

AFTER WE DISMISSED HIM, HE CONTINUED TO STALK ME.

I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT THERE WAS A THING CALLED STALKING.

AFTER HE JOINED MY CHURCH, IT WAS A DEACON AT MY CHURCH THAT ACTUALLY TOLD ME, THIS ISN'T RIGHT, YOU NEED TO GO TO THE POLICE.

AND ONCE WE WENT TO THE POLICE, THEY TOLD ME HOW TO GO DOWNTOWN AND FILE A RESTRAINING ORDER.

IT WASN'T UNTIL I GOT THE RESTRAINING ORDER THAT THE JUDGE SAID, THIS IS STALKING.

SO I REALLY DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT I WAS BEING STALKED.

AND WHAT STALKING IS, IF SOMEONE CONTACTS YOU WITHOUT YOU WANTING THEM TO, WHETHER IT'S INDIRECTLY, THROUGH ANOTHER PERSON, THROUGH ONLINE COMMUNICATION, THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH -- THAT IS STALKING.

IF THEY CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY, THAT IS STALKING.

IN GEORGIA, JUST HAS TO BE MORE THAN TWICE.

I DO ALSO NEED TO CLARIFY, THOUGH, GEORGIA DOES NOT HAVE A STALKING CRIMINAL CODE, PER SE.

YOU HAVE TO GET A RESTRAINING ORDER TO BE PROTECTED FROM STALKING.

>> AND HE WAS SHOWING UP AT YOUR HOME?

>> I HAVE CRIMINAL TRESPASSING ORDERS AGAINST HIM.

HE WAS SHOWING UP AT MY HOME, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR REPEATEDLY.

OVER THE SUMMER -- MY DAUGHTER WAS ACTUALLY WITH HER DAD, SO I WOULD JUST LET HIM BANG ON THE DOOR AND SO FORTH AND NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

I WAS TRYING TO BE NUMB TO IT.

BUT WHEN SHE CAME HOME, THAT'S WHEN SHE WAS LIKE, WHY IS THAT MAN KNOCKING ON THE DOOR?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

SO I WAS FORCED TO CALL THE POLICE.

THAT'S WHEN THE POLICE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN FILE CRIMINAL TRESPASSING ORDERS.

>> YOU FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE -- YOU FILED THE CRIMINAL TRESPASSING, BUT THERE ARE SOME LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW.

EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE ONE BILL THAT DEALS WITH THAT, I THINK IT'S -- YOURS IS, SORRY, 178?

>> HOUSE BILL 131, 133.

SO ONE OF THEM -- WELL, ONE, WHEN I CALL THE POLICE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE.

BUT WHEN YOU CALL THE POLICE, POLICE WILL NOT EVEN SHOW UP.

>> BECAUSE YOU SAID IT'S A STALKER?

THAT'S THE REASON?

>> NO, THEY JUST DON'T SHOW UP.

AND SO WE HAVE HAD TO -- I TRIED TO ACTUALLY INTRODUCE SOMETHING ABOUT THE 911 SYSTEM, BUT WE WERE UNABLE TO BECAUSE 911 SYSTEM IS REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL -- AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BUT THE POLICE DID NOT SHOW UP.

BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST OVERWORKED.

SO THE 911 SYSTEM, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS, JOSH, BUT IN ATLANTA, IT'S COLOR CODED.

AND SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP CALLING BACK, ASKING FOR HELP, RIGHT?

AND SO I FOUND THAT OUT BY ACTUALLY GOING TO THE POLICE STATION, AND THEY SHOWED ME THE COLOR CODED SYSTEM THAT THEY USE FOR THE 911 CALLS.

>> WHAT WOULD 131 DO?

>> 131, ONCE THE POLICE SHOW UP, THEY HAVE TO FILE A REPORT.

RIGHT NOW, SOME POLICE DECIDE TO FILE A REPORT OR NOT TO FILE A REPORT.

AND THERE'S A FEDERAL LAW CALLED COLOR OF LAW, WHICH SAYS THAT A POLICE REPORT HAS GOT TO BE FILED.

IT TAKES IT A STEP FURTHER.

IN THE LAW, ACCORDING TO MARCIE'S LAW RIGHT NOW, THESE CRIMES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPORTED TO THE GBI.

BUT IN THE LAW, THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS WHO'S GOING TO CREATE THIS FORM, WHERE DO YOU SEND THE FORM TO.

SO 131 PRETTY MUCH SAYS -- GIVES MORE DIRECTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND ONCE THAT DATA IS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THEN THE POLICE REPORT THAT TO THE GBI, THEN THE GBI SENDS THAT DATA TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SO FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND LAWMAKERS WILL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE DATA ON STALKING STATS AND OTHER CRIMES.

>> OKAY.

TALK ABOUT 133 IN JUST A SECOND, I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU FOR A SECOND, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER BILL.

IT IS A COMPANION TO WHAT WE HEARD MRS. KEMP TALK ABOUT IN THE SENATE.

IT DEALS WITH THE NAME OF THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

EXPLAIN THAT.

SO WHEN YOU -- THEIR NAMES CAN BE IN THE PAPER, WHICH IS A PROBLEM IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE THEIR NAME, I SHOULD SAY.

>> CORRECT.

SO THIS COMPANION BILL IS BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT ARE MOVING ACROSS.

BUT HOUSE BILL 178 WOULD CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE CURRENT NAME CHANGE STATUTE.

SO RIGHT NOW, IF YOU WANTED TO CHANGE YOUR NAME, YOU PETITION SUPERIOR COURT.

THEN THAT PETITION HAS TO BE ADVERTISED IN THE LOCAL COUNTY PAPER OF RECORD FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THEN THAT NAME CHANGE GOES THROUGH.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS AN EXCEPTION FOR VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

SO WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS TO MOVE THOSE THAT ARE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INTO THAT SAME CATEGORY, SO THAT WHEN THEY DO MAKE THAT PETITION, IT'S NOT MADE PUBLIC.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S FOR THEIR SAFETY.

>> SO THAT THEIR TRAFFICKERS DON'T FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED IN THAT WAY DESERVE PROTECTION AND DESERVE SAFETY AND DESERVE THAT ANONYMITY THAT THIS WILL PROVIDE.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU ON 133.

TELL US WHAT THAT PART OF IT WILL DO.

>> SO RIGHT NOW THE CURRENT LAW IS, ACCORDING TO MARCIE'S LAW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED OF EVERY SINGLE COURT DATE.

IN MY CASE, I WAS NOT BEING NOTIFIED, AFTER REPEATEDLY SENDING EMAILS SAYING I WANT TO BE NOTIFIED, I WASN'T BEING NOTIFIED.

SO THIS SAYS, NOW THE JUDGE HAS GOT TO GET CERTIFICATION FROM THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY THAT THE VICTIM WAS, INDEED, NOTIFIED.

IF THE VICTIM IS THERE, THE VICTIM HAS THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, TO SAY WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM, TO THE JUDGE.

AND IF THE VICTIM IS NOT THERE, THEN THE JUDGE CAN THEN ASK THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WHY.

WAS IT VOLUNTARY?

WERE YOU JUST NOT ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM?

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT SUPPORT FOR YOUR LEGISLATION?

>> YOU KNOW, I AM SO THANKFUL TO FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP.

ONE, FOR JUST BRINGING ISSUES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE TO THE FOREFRONT.

LIKE JOSH JUST SAID, IF THEIR BILL IS TRYING TO MOVE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING INTO THE FAMILY VIOLENCE SPHERE, THAT JUST HELPS SUPPORT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, VICTIMS OF STALKING, AS WELL AS THE TRAFFICKING.

>> I'M SO GLAD YOU CAME TO TELL YOUR STORY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TOO.

AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

BE SURE TO TUNE INTO "LAWMAKERS" MONDAY FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION 13.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.