Re: AB 1245 (Stefani) State contracts: certification process – SUPPORT
Dear Chairwomen Ortega & Rubio:
On behalf of the Alliance to End Human Trafficking (AEHT), I am writing in strong support of AB 1245 (Stefani), which would enhance protections against human trafficking in California’s procurement policies by requiring companies contracting with the State to implement specified measures to prevent human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor in their supply chains.
Data shows that business-controlled supply chains are the primary drivers of trafficking. The International Labour Organization estimates that nearly 28 million people are in forced labor, with 86% exploited in the private sector. [1] Migrant workers, women, and children are disproportionately affected due to unfair recruitment practices and multilayered subcontracting. As the fourth-largest economy with immense purchasing power, California is uniquely positioned to enact changes that reduce exploitation both within the state and globally.
California has long demonstrated leadership in combating human trafficking through the procurement policies it adopted in 2007. As new research has deepened our understanding of the complex factors that enable trafficking—including the role of subcontractors and unethical recruitment practices targeting migrant workers—it has become clear that the law must evolve to reflect this evidence.
The federal government recognized the severity of this issue in 2016, when it enacted procurement reforms that created a clear and effective model for preventing human trafficking in supply chains. AB 1245 adopts this proven federal framework and ensures that state procurement policies reflect a decade of progress in supporting ethical businesses through consistent, established standards.
The Alliance to End Human Trafficking is a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to end human trafficking. Our members include 250+ congregations of Catholic Sisters, coalitions working against human trafficking, and individuals who share our mission. Some of our members are based in California, including the St. Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles; Sr. Kathleen Bryant, a Southern California native and a Religious Sister of Charity; the St. Joseph Justice Center in Orange; and Mary’s Guest House in Chula Vista, among others. We believe the time is right to pass this bill, particularly given the upcoming sporting events and other large gatherings that will take place in the beautiful State of California.
We understand that larger gatherings of people can promote or increase human trafficking, and as such, procurement processes are prudent to build in protections against labor trafficking. We also encourage you to consider what more can be implemented to stop sex trafficking in the state.
Why AB 1245 Matters:
● Protecting Workers: Strengthens safeguards against systemic exploitation by requiring contractor compliance plans, banning recruitment fees, and mandating that key employment terms be disclosed in workers’ native languages.
● Accountability for Subcontractors: Ensures that subcontractors are held to the same ethical and transparency standards, promoting consistency across entire supply chains.
● Corrective Measures: Requires swift action to address and eliminate trafficking or forced labor when detected, reinforcing responsible and ethical business practices.
Companies that contract with the state should uphold ethical standards, ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not contribute to exploitation. AB 1245 offers the state a meaningful opportunity to further strengthen and modernize its procurement standards, ensuring that goods purchased by California are free from abusive practices and human trafficking.
For these reasons, AEHT urges your “aye” vote on AB 1245. By reinforcing protections for workers and clarifying expectations for ethical business practices, this bill helps create a procurement system that rewards compliance and deters exploitation.
Sincerely,
Katie Boller Gosewisch
Executive Director
Alliance to End Human Trafficking
[1] Int’l Labour Org., Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage 2-3 (Sept. 2022), https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40ed_norm/%40ipec/documents/publication/wcms_854795.pdf.