Senate Committee Advances Weaver Bill Allowing Expert Testimony in Human Trafficking Cases

OKLAHOMA CITY- The Senate Public Safety Committee today 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 beliefs, behavior, and perception of 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 long championed efforts to combat human trafficking and oversaw the implementation of 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 will continue to hold perpetrators accountable and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, but 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.

SB 1810 also seeks to expand the scope of the Attorney General’s Office Victims Services Unit to provide services for human trafficking victims. Support would include counseling, case management, referrals or other needed services.

The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. Darrell Weaver at 405-521-5569 or email Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov.