Turn to Tara investigation sparks new NY law to fight human trafficking
This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new legislation directly inspired by Turn To Tara's yearslong coverage into human trafficking.
An investigation first featured on News 12 has changed New York state law.
This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new legislation directly inspired by Turn To Tara's yearslong coverage into human trafficking.
And now - for the first time since signing it - the governor spoke exclusively with our senior political reporter Tara Rosenblum about why she says change was needed.
Gov. Hochul this week credited the Turn To Tara investigation with exposing a major gap in New York's fight against human trafficking.
"When we pass laws, they're not being followed, and you put a glaring spotlight on your investigation over the course of an entire year, you know, then we have to act. We can't watch your programming and say, 'Well, that's too bad,'" said Hochul.
And this week, she followed through by signing new legislation in direct response to News 12's coverage, adding that she thinks "this is a great way to bring awareness to it."
After years of reporting on human trafficking across the tri-state, the Turn To Tara team wanted to find out if New York's hotels and motels were actually following a state law requiring them to post trafficking hotline information - a potential lifeline for victims trying to escape their exploiters.
So in early 2025, the team hit the road, visiting more than 100 properties - from Montauk to Manhattan - only to discover that roughly eight in 10 were ignoring the law.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who helped write the original law, introduced the new legislation. Now, hotels that fail to correct a violation within 30 days of receiving notice face a $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for each additional violation.
"If you don't get someone's attention by asking them to do something, you have to say then, 'Well, let's have a financial penalty or financial consequences to you ignoring the law,' and so I think what you've done, and we're proud to have partnered on this, is to really make a real change in the state of New York," said Paulin.
The governor also issued a warning to hotel owners still out of compliance.
"You better follow the law," she said.
And for the victims this law is meant to protect, she made a promise.
"We're going to get you out of this. We're going to help you. We'll be your lifeline," said Hochul.
If you have a problem you think Tara Rosenblum should look into, or to watch our entire investigation, click here.
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