Senate Resolution No. 1438

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2026, as Youth on Transportation Safety Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, The safety, well-being, and empowerment of youth is a
matter of the highest concern for the people of the State of New York;
and

WHEREAS, Each day, young people across New York travel to and from
school, work, and extracurricular activities using various forms of
transportation, including school buses, public transit systems,
rideshares, and intercity buses, placing them in regular contact with a
broad array of transportation stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, Youth on Transportation Safety Month is a campaign
dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking and equipping
youth, parents, and transportation professionals with knowledge and
tools to identify and prevent exploitation in age-appropriate and
effective ways; and

WHEREAS, This annual campaign, led by Truckers Against Trafficking
(TAT), reflects the year-round objectives of its Youth on Transportation
Initiative, which include expanding human trafficking training for
school transportation and public transit professionals, convening public
and private stakeholders to create collaborative community responses,
and providing youth and parents with educational resources to protect
themselves and others from trafficking; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Outreach Survey for
Transportation, 60 percent of human trafficking survivors reported that
a bus-such as an intercity, public, long-distance, or shuttle bus-was
used during their recruitment into trafficking, while 75 percent
reported that a bus was used during their exploitation; additionally, 35
percent of survivors reported visiting a bus or subway station while
being trafficked, and 28 percent used a bus during their escape; and

WHEREAS, A 2023-2024 survey of TAT's school transportation partners
revealed that one in three transportation professionals suspected that a
student on their bus was at risk of being groomed, trafficked, or
abused, while one in four reported an incident of suspected abuse or
trafficking; furthermore, 60 percent of respondents indicated that they
had observed at least one of TAT's red flag indicators of human
trafficking; and

WHEREAS, Transportation providers serve vulnerable populations at a
disproportionate rate, with 60 percent of children from low-income
families relying on school buses and low-income individuals, immigrants,
and people of color more likely to rely on public transportation; these
populations are at increased risk of trafficking due to systemic issues
such as poverty, racism, food insecurity, and limited access to support
services; and

WHEREAS, Although individuals of all ages may fall victim to human
trafficking, traffickers often target youth, perceiving them as
inexperienced in relationships, more trusting, and easier to manipulate;
youth with a history of trauma, disabilities, low self-esteem, court
involvement, economic hardship, or housing insecurity may face
additional risk; youth who engage in risky behavior, including online
behavior, or who identify as LGBTQ+ may also be more susceptible to
exploitation; and

WHEREAS, The Youth on Transportation campaign was developed through
a year-long youth consultation process that included focus groups and
surveys with middle school, high school, and college students; the
findings demonstrated that while nearly half of the youth surveyed
believed they knew a good amount about human trafficking, many continued
to believe common myths, such as the idea that most traffickers use
kidnapping tactics; and

WHEREAS, Young people primarily receive information about human
trafficking through the internet, at school, or from their parents;
social media and family discussions serve as primary channels for
learning about the world around them, and both parents and youth benefit
from targeted educational materials; and

WHEREAS, Human trafficking is not only a global or urban issue, but
one that affects communities across New York State; raising awareness
and dispelling myths about this crime are essential to prevention;
traffickers do not always match stereotypical profiles and often employ
manipulative grooming tactics, making education and community vigilance
critical tools in protecting youth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026, as Youth on
Transportation Safety Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Truckers Against Trafficking.