INDIANAPOLIS - Today the human trafficking legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 4, was signed into law by Governor Mitch Daniels and took effect immediately. The Indiana General Assembly approved the legislation unanimously last week. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller had recommended that lawmakers pass the bill before the Super Bowl XLVI, and today Zoeller issued this statement:

"Today we close loopholes in Indiana law so our police and prosecutors have the legal tools they need to crack down on those who traffic young victims in a growing area of criminal enterprise that is considered a modern form of human slavery," Zoeller said.

In 2011, stopping the problem of human trafficking was designated a presidential initiative by the National Association of Attorneys General, or NAAG. Washington state's attorney general, Rob McKenna, asked Zoeller to participate in the nationwide effort to crack down on trafficking through legislation, public awareness and deterring demand. Last week, Zoeller joined sports civic leaders to sign a pledge, promising to do all they can to discourage any social acceptance or tolerance of the commercial sex industry that fuels demand for human trafficking.

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