ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5580

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 15, 2026

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5580.

      This bill would expand the duty of the Commission on Human Trafficking, created by P.L.2013, c.51, to include studying the connection between human trafficking and illicit massage parlor businesses.  A published report by the Polaris Project, a group advocating on behalf of trafficking victims, indicates that massage parlors, including legitimate ones, may be contributing significantly to human trafficking trade in New Jersey.