Ryan Ray
Newly elected state Rep. Jennifer Sullivan this week filed a bill to create a new “End Human Trafficking” license plate to help the efforts of agencies around the state in fighting the scourge, which is rampant in parts of Florida.
Funds raised by sales of the $25 specialty plate would fund a public-private program called f2F Life Project, Inc., which would distribute funds to nongovernmental, not-for-profit groups for the purpose of assisting victims of abuse and trafficking.
“Each and every one of us has a role to play in ending human trafficking. It is a privilege to sponsor this license plate, which will serve as a means of both educating the public on this horrific epidemic and funding much-needed services for trafficked victims. I am grateful to have the support of my Senate sponsor, Anitere Flores, as we partner together with Safe and Free Florida to pass this legislation,” said Sullivan, a Eustis Republican, in a written statement.
Flores has so far yet to file a companion bill, but plans to well before the legislative session begins on March 3.
“I want to congratulate Representative Sullivan for presenting this legislation. Human trafficking is a serious issue and I am honored to support and help bring more awareness to this issue,” said Flores.
Fifteen percent of the revenue produced by the new plate will go to administrative overhead and promotion of the program, while 85 percent will go to nonprofits performing various services including counseling, pre- and postnatal care for at-risk mothers and adoption placement.
As many as 100,000 to 300,000 American children are considered at risk of being trafficked. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Florida policymakers have made trafficking a legislative issue in the past, but so far the practice largely continues apace in Florida.
Sullivan, 23, is the youngest person ever elected to the state House.
