OKLAHOMA CITYThe Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously approved legislation by Chairman Darrell Weaver to allow expert testimony in human trafficking cases.
Senate Bill 1810 by Weaver, R-Moore, provides that in any action in a court, if a party offers evidence of human trafficking, testimony of an expert witness, including the effect of such human trafficking on the person being trafficked shall be admissible as evidence.
“Victims of human trafficking have been subjected to unimaginable trauma that can change how they think, act, and live their daily lives,” Weaver said. “This legislation will ensure that qualified experts can explain to a court the effects of trafficking on the victim and provide judges and juries with additional testimony that will help them deliver justice.”
Weaver has combat human trafficking and oversaw the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ human trafficking unit in 2012, while serving as the agency director.
“It has been a coordinated statewide effort to protect our citizens from human trafficking and to deter this form of crime in our state. We must also ensure that we continue to improve services and resources for victims of these horrific acts, whether in the courtroom or as they work to recover,” Weaver said.