LANSING – The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission has scheduled six upcoming meetings in 2026, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Meetings of the Commission are held at the Williams Building at 525 W. Ottawa Street and are accessible remotely via Microsoft Teams. The Commission invites survivors of human trafficking, advocacy groups, law enforcement partners, and members of the public to join their upcoming meetings from noon to 1:30 p.m. scheduled for:   

• January 12
• March 23
• May 11
• July 20
• September 14
• November 9

“The Human Trafficking Commission works tirelessly to support victims and survivors,” Nessel said. “Their work truly matters, and my office is proud to partner with them in the fight to end human trafficking. I encourage anyone who cares about this issue to attend one of their upcoming meetings.” 

“Education and awareness are our first and most powerful weapons in the fight against human trafficking in Michigan,” said Assistant Attorney General Melissa Palepu, chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission. “This year the Human Trafficking Commission will prioritize raising public awareness and educating communities across the state. When we equip our most vulnerable with knowledge, we strip traffickers of their advantage and move decisively toward making Michigan the most hostile state in the nation for those who exploit others.”  

The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission was created within the Department of Attorney General by statute, when the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act became law, and began operations in 2015. The Commission is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor. The Commission is comprised of the following members: 

• Chair, Assistant Attorney General Melissa Palepu;
• Vice Chair, Katie Papke, LMSW, Human Trafficking Victim Services Provider;
• Michael Draminski, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs;
• Jeff Getting, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor;
• Alice Johnson, Human Trafficking Peer Specialist, Outreach/Case Management;
• Leslie King, founder of Sacred Beginnings, Human Trafficking Advocate;
• Hon. Lisa McCormick, 30th Circuit Court Judge, Ingham County;
• Tiffany Martinez, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services;
• Kimberly Hurst, Founder and CEO of Avalon;
• Detective Sergeant Jason Walters, Michigan State Police; and
• Jayla Irons, the Executive Office of Governor Whitmer.

The mission of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission as set forth by the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act includes: 

• Identifying sources for grants that will assist in examining and countering human trafficking in this state and applying for those grants when appropriate.
• Funding research programs to determine the extent and nature of human trafficking in Michigan.
• Providing information and training regarding human trafficking to:
  • Police officers,
  • Prosecutors,
  • Court personnel,
  • Health care providers,
  • Social services personnel, and
  • Other individuals the commission considers appropriate.
  • Collecting and analyzing information regarding human trafficking in Michigan.
• Identifying state and local agencies within Michigan and other states, as well as within the federal government, that are involved with issues relating to human trafficking, and coordinating the dissemination of information regarding human trafficking in Michigan to those agencies.
• Reviewing existing services available to assist human trafficking victims, including crime victim assistance, health care, and legal assistance, and establishing a program to make those victims better aware of the services available to them.
• Establishing a program to improve public awareness of human trafficking.
• Reviewing existing state laws and administrative rules relating to human trafficking and making recommendations to the legislature to improve those laws and rules to address human trafficking violations in Michigan.