Summary — A4432 (Governor’s Survivor Leader Advisory Council; 2026 FIFA World Cup / Human Trafficking)
Status and procedural history
- Introduced May 20, 2024 (Assembly). Reported out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee with amendments (6/6/24) and most recently reported out of an Assembly committee (1/5/26) and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Companion senate measures include S6053 and S3528.
- Takes effect immediately on enactment and expires upon submission of the required report or one year after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, whichever is later.
Main purpose
- To prepare New Jersey to prevent and respond to an anticipated increase in human trafficking related to the State hosting part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by creating a survivor-led advisory council, producing policy recommendations, and coordinating public awareness and law enforcement guidance.
Key provisions and requirements
- Establishes the Governor’s Survivor Leader Advisory Council (GSLAC) within the Department of Health.
- Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to DOH for establishment and operations of the council.
- Membership (9 total):
- One member must be a law enforcement officer experienced with trafficking victims, appointed upon recommendation of the State Troopers Fraternal Association.
- The remaining members are non-law-enforcement appointees (recommended by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking) who must be survivors of human trafficking and have policy and victim-service experience.
- Appointments by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.
- Meetings and organization:
- Council organizes within 30 days of a majority appointment, selects a chair, and must hold at least eight meetings per year.
- At least four meetings must be held without the law enforcement member present.
- Report and timeline:
- The council must submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than 180 days after enactment (amended from 240 days).
- Report must address legal evaluations, program expansions or new initiatives, coordinated responses, public awareness strategies and signage, hotline capacity, Attorney General directives, and other mitigation strategies.
- Public awareness and signage:
- Council to develop language for a World Cup-specific awareness campaign and signs (including the national 24-hour trafficking hotline).
- Any entity already required to post trafficking signs must also post the World Cup awareness sign.
- Law enforcement directives:
- Requires the Attorney General to issue guidelines/directives to law enforcement and prosecutors on identifying and responding to increased trafficking risk before and during the event.
- Commission on Human Trafficking role:
- The existing Commission on Human Trafficking must convene a quorum for monitoring and implementation three months before, during, and six months after the World Cup to ensure council recommendations are carried out.
Who is affected
- Survivors and survivor-advocates (as council members and stakeholders)
- Department of Health (host and staff support)
- State Attorney General’s Office, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors (to receive and implement directives)
- The Commission on Human Trafficking (implementation/monitoring role)
- Businesses/establishments currently required to post trafficking signage (added posting requirement)
- State budget ($1 million appropriation)
Potential impacts
- Creates a survivor-centered advisory structure to produce timely, actionable recommendations and public outreach tied to a major international event.
- Directs statewide coordination between public health, law enforcement, advocates, and service providers; may lead to short-term increases in hotline capacity, signage, public education, and procedural guidance for law enforcement.
