HB 1614

Abstract

Victims of human trafficking; affirmative defense to prosecution for certain offenses. Provides an affirmative defense to prosecution for prostitution and keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place if, at the time of the offense leading to such charge, such person was a victim of human trafficking, as defined in the bill, and (i) was coerced to engage in the offense through the use of force or intimidation of another, (ii) such offense was committed as part of a commercial sex trafficking scheme, or (iii) such offense was committed at the direction of an operator of a commercial sex trafficking scheme. The bill also states that a victim of human trafficking may raise such affirmative defense regardless of whether any other person has been arrested for, prosecuted for, charged with, or convicted of an offense.

Victims of human trafficking; affirmative defenseto prosecution for certain offenses. Provides an affirmativedefense to prosecution for various offenses related to commercialsex trafficking and prostitution if at the time of the offense leadingto such charge, such person was a victim of human trafficking asdefined in the bill and (i) was induced to engage in the offense throughthe use of force, intimidation, or deception of another; (ii) suchoffense was committed as part of a human trafficking scheme; or (iii)such offense was committed at the direction of an operator of a humantrafficking scheme. The bill also states that a victim of human traffickingmay raise such affirmative defense regardless of whether any otherperson has been arrested for, prosecuted for, charged with, or convictedof an offense.