Strengthening Enforcement of Human Trafficking

Under current law, "crimes of violence" are subject to enhanced sentencing. The bill adds human trafficking of an adult or a minor for the purpose of involuntary servitude and human trafficking of an adult or a minor for sexual servitude to the list of as per se crimes of violence that are subject to enhanced sentencing. Under current law, it is an affirmative defense to a charge of human trafficking for sexual servitude if the person being charged can demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that, at the time of the offense, the person was a victim of human trafficking for sexual servitude who was forced or coerced into engaging in the human trafficking of minors for sexual servitude. The bill extends the affirmative defense if the person was forced or coerced into engaging in human trafficking for sexual servitude. The bill makes the statute of limitations for human trafficking of an adult or a minor for the purpose of involuntary servitude and human trafficking of an adult for sexual servitude 20 years. The bill does not change the unlimited statute of limitations for human trafficking for sexual servitude of a minor.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)