A new bill in Nassau County could bring some of the state’s toughest rules to local illegal massage parlors.
Lawmakers and human trafficking survivors introduced the Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Protection Act on Thursday morning.
The bill aims to crack down on illegal massage parlors with harsher fines and train workers to spot the signs of human trafficking.
"Sometimes the difference between a victim being missed and being recognized isn't a lack of compassion, it is a lack of training,” said survivor Hollie Nadel.
Officials say money from the fines would go toward a new fund to help human trafficking victims.
The proposal would also give more protection to human trafficking survivors.
Police say they have raided at least 231 illegal spas on Long Island over the past five years.