Some Rockland County legislators are speaking out in support of a bill that would make it easier to legally go after human traffickers in New York state.

Rockland County Legislator Chairwoman Harriet Cornell (D-West Nyack), along with Legis. Patrick Withers (D-Suffern) and Legis. Connie Coker (D-South Nyack), has sponsored the legislation asking the New York State Assembly to amend human trafficking laws.

The bill being considered would bring five different laws under an umbrella of human trafficking laws. Under the new law, transporting people into the U.S. to sell them for sex or enslave them would be a class C felony. It would also provide assistance for trafficking victims.

Cornell says New York State is an entry point for trafficking because of its location, and that the laws against the practice must be consolidated. ?The laws in New York State are very disparate. There are some laws that include kidnapping and others involving prostitution,? she says.

A vote on the legislation is expected May 15. Cornell says she expects it to pass and be sent to Albany.