Nassau County Democrats propose toughest crackdown on illegal massage parlors

Nassau County Democrats unveiled the Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Prevention Act, aiming to make the county the strictest enforcer of rules on massage parlors linked to trafficking. The legislation mandates that such establishments maintain proper licensing, retain employee payroll records and prohibit anyone from residing or sleeping on site, with violations punishable by fines that can increase to $25,000.

Property owners whose locations are repeatedly investigated for sex-trafficking could also face legal action. Revenue from penalties would be directed to a newly created fund to provide emergency housing, counseling, transportation, legal services, workforce training and language support for survivors. Additionally, a countywide human-trafficking response working group would bring together police, prosecutors, health professionals, educators and survivor advocates to streamline victim identification, prosecution and services. The bill expands on existing hotel-related anti-trafficking rules and is now under review by the Republican majority and Presiding Officer Howard Kopel, who will decide on a vote next month.