TOPEKA, KAN. – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has been appointed to a national group to combat human trafficking.
Schmidt has been appointed to the Human Trafficking Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General. The appointment was made by Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, president of the national organization. It is the first time a Kansan has served on the organization’s Human Trafficking Committee.
“The Legislature and the Governor made clear earlier this year that fighting against human trafficking is a priority for Kansas,” Schmidt said. “They enacted tough new law that puts added responsibility on the Office of the Attorney General to lead Kansas efforts against human trafficking. The new position will strengthen our ability to meet that responsibility.”
Other states with attorneys general serving on the group include Indiana, Massachusetts, Washington and Michigan, all of which are known for strong anti-human trafficking commitments.
To carry out the attorney general’s new duties under the new Kansas anti-human trafficking law, Schmidt has reorganized part of his office to create a new Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, which is led by former state representative Pat Colloton of Leawood.
Schmidt said the unit will step up its activities in the coming months as it implements the new law.
