Combatting Human Trafficking in Maryland

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett joined Governor Larry Hogan as he announced new initiatives to combat human trafficking in Maryland. Hogan announced creation of an Anti-Human Trafficking Director position; a new crime, research, and innovation center; strengthened data collection; an updated identification protocol; $5 million in funding for anti-human trafficking efforts; and legislation to categorize felony human trafficking as a violent crime. Leggett and Hogan referenced recent Montgomery County successes in both arresting and prosecuting human traffickers as well as ongoing collaborations to increase protections for victims in the County and the state of Maryland. See more photos here.