Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) outlined the enforcement impact of a newly enacted local law strengthening oversight of hotels and motels in Suffolk County following a press conference held on February 2 at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building. The legislation was adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature and signed into law by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
The new law provides law enforcement with enhanced tools to identify, investigate, and deter human trafficking activity by increasing mandatory recordkeeping requirements, strengthening penalties for violations, and restricting hourly room rates at hotels and motels — practices frequently linked to trafficking and other criminal activity.
“With this now signed into law, our law enforcement has more tools to prosecute those who trade people for money. Additionally, we will hold accountable all hotels and motels which allow this heinous crime to happen,” said Lennon.
Romaine joined Lennon, members of the Suffolk County Legislature, New York State officials, representatives of ECLI-VIBES, members of the Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Taskforce (SCATI), as well as members of law enforcement and Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services in emphasizing the importance of coordinated enforcement efforts and strong local laws to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain public safety.
“As we continue to confront the challenge and reality of human trafficking in Suffolk County, we must look at every aspect of this situation and address it accordingly. Legislator Lennon’s bill will play a key role in that fight and serve as the deterrent for those who use hotels and motels as a haven for human trafficking,” Romaine said.
The legislation strengthens cooperation between county agencies and law enforcement by establishing clearer compliance standards within the hospitality industry, improving transparency, and ensuring swift consequences for those who enable or ignore trafficking activity.