Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business.

ACR112

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 112

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

.Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblyman� JAY WEBBER

District 26 (Morris and Passaic)

SYNOPSIS

���� Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at
certain places of business.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution

directing,
pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3), the State Commission of
Investigation to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of
business.

Whereas,
The State Commission on
Investigation, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-2), has the
broad duty and power to conduct investigations in connection with �[t]he
faithful execution and effective enforcement of the laws of the State, with particular
reference but not limited to organized crime and racketeering,� or �[a]ny
matter concerning the public peace, public safety and public justice�; and

Whereas,
Among the many crimes
listed in N.J.S.2C:41-1 that are associated with organized crime and
racketeering activity is the crime of human trafficking, section 1 of P.L.2005,
c.77 (C.2C:13-8), which can involve a victim being required, by means of force,
fraud, or coercion, to engage in sexual activity, or to provide labor or
services; and

Whereas,
In January 2018, Polaris
Project, a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization dedicated to combating
human trafficking and offering trafficking victims assistance, issued a report
titled �Human Trafficking in Illicit Massage Businesses,� which spotlighted the
pervasiveness of illegal, commercial sex and potential human trafficking
activity occurring in massage parlors throughout the United States, including a
concentration of activity within an East Coast region comprised of New Jersey
and its neighboring states; and

Whereas,
As evidenced by the Polaris
Project report, New Jersey�s regulation of massage parlors, which includes the
licensing of massage and bodywork therapists, registration of employers which
offer massage and bodywork therapies, and criminal history record background
checks on all licensees and their employers pursuant to P.L.1999, c.19
(C.45:11-53 et seq.) and P.L.2007, c.337 (C.45:11-68 et al.), may require
stronger enforcement efforts or further reforms to be more effective in
addressing potential human trafficking activity taking place within massage
parlors throughout the State; and

Whereas,
The Legislature, pursuant
to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3), can by concurrent resolution
direct the State Commission on Investigation to conduct an investigation
falling within the commission�s scope of authority and to present
recommendations for changes in or additions to existing law �for the more
effective administration and enforcement of the law�; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

���� 1.��� The State Commission on
Investigation is directed, pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1968, c.266
(C.52:9M-3), to investigate human trafficking activity at the places of
business of employers of massage and bodywork therapists, which employers are
subject to registration, and which therapists are subject to licensure,
pursuant to P.L.1999, c.19 (C.45:11-53 et seq.) and P.L.2007, c.337 (C.45:11-68
et al.).

���� 2.��� a.�� While conducting
the investigation, the commission shall, upon the request of the Attorney
General, a county prosecutor, or any other law enforcement official, cooperate
with, advise, and assist the requesting official in the performance of that
official�s powers and duties in accordance with section 5 of P.L.1968, c.266
(C.52:9M-5).

���� b.��� While conducting the
investigation, the commission may consult and exchange information with law
enforcement officers and agencies of other states with respect to human
trafficking activity of mutual concern to this and other states in accordance
with section 7 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-7).

���� c.���� If, in the course of
conducting the investigation, any information or evidence of a reasonable
possibility of human trafficking or other criminal wrongdoing is obtained, the
commission shall immediately refer the information or evidence to the Attorney
General in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-8).

���� 3.��� a.�� No later than two
years after the effective date of this concurrent resolution, unless delayed
pursuant to subsection b. of this section at the request of the Attorney
General, the commission shall issue a report to the Governor, and to the
Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1),
summarizing the findings of its investigation and making recommendations for
addressing human trafficking activity within massage and bodywork therapy
places of business.�

���� b.��� If the report contains
any information or evidence of a reasonable possibility of human trafficking or
other criminal wrongdoing, the commission shall, in accordance with section 7
of P.L.1996, c.44 (C.52:9M-8.1), give written notice to the Attorney General at
least seven days prior to the intended date of issuing the report, in order to
afford the Attorney General an opportunity to be heard with respect to any
objections the Attorney General has with the report.� The commission may then
delay, at the request of the Attorney General and in accordance with that
section, the issuance of the report for a period of up to 120 days.

���� 4.��� This concurrent
resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This concurrent resolution directs the State
Commission on Investigation to examine human trafficking activity at the places
of business of persons who employ massage and bodywork therapists.�

����� This bill calls for the State Commission on
Investigation to issue a report summarizing its investigation no later than two
years after the resolution takes effect. The report may be delayed at the
request of the Attorney General for up to an additional 120 days pursuant to
section 7 of P.L.1996, c.44 (C.52:9M-8.1), due to information or evidence
contained in the report showing a reasonable possibility of human trafficking
or other criminal wrongdoing. The report would also include recommendations for
consideration by the Governor and Legislature for further addressing human
trafficking activity within these places of business.