Ryan Nicol
Senate President Bill Galvano announced Thursday that Sen. Manny Diaz would be joining the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
The council was created in 2014 and is chaired by Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The body is tasked with gathering together a list of resources available to trafficking victims, as well as providing policy recommendations on how to be apprehend and prosecute suspected traffickers, among other tasks.
“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that impacts our families and communities throughout the state. Sen. Diaz has worked tirelessly to implement legislation designed to protect, empower and provide services to our state’s vulnerable populations,” Galvano said.
“I am honored Sen. Diaz will represent the Senate on this Council, and look forward to witnessing the work he and the Council accomplish in order to provide comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking and to bring human trafficking perpetrators to justice.”
During the 2019 Legislative Session, a bill backed by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (HB 851) created a direct-support organization to assist the statewide council. Galvano named Book and former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff to that direct-support organization earlier in July.
“I am honored to be appointed by President Galvano to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking,” Diaz said.
“Human trafficking has caused grave impacts to communities across our state. I look forward to begin working with the Council to combat this evil, apprehend perpetrators, educate our communities, and maximize support resources for victims.”
