This bill seeks to strengthen Alaska's legal framework regarding human trafficking and theft by introducing new definitions and classifications for various offenses. It redefines human trafficking in the first degree as an unclassified felony and establishes a new crime of human trafficking in the third degree, categorized as a class B or C felony based on the value of services provided. Additionally, the bill introduces the crime of wage theft, which encompasses various forms of employer misconduct related to employee compensation, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class B felonies depending on the amount involved. The legislation also revises theft definitions, including organized theft, and specifies that theft-related offenses do not apply to wage theft, while introducing provisions for the forfeiture of property involved in human trafficking crimes.

Moreover, the bill mandates that courts order defendants convicted of specific theft-related offenses to pay restitution for unpaid wages and adds "human trafficking in the first degree" to the list of serious offenses carrying a minimum five-year prison sentence. It requires employers found to owe unpaid wages to pay double the amount owed and cover legal costs incurred by employees. The bill also modifies employer liability provisions for wage violations, removing exceptions for liquidated damages and attorney fees, and repeals outdated sections of law. These new provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to enhance victim compensation and strengthen penalties for serious crimes while ensuring employees receive adequate compensation for unpaid wages.

Statutes affected:
HB0097A, AM HB 97, introduced 02/12/2025: 11.46.100, 11.46.160, 11.46.180, 11.46.190, 11.46.200, 11.46.210, 11.46.215, 11.46.120, 11.46.130, 11.46.140, 11.46.220, 11.46.150, 11.46.260, 11.46.270, 11.46.280, 11.46.285, 11.46.360, 11.46.365, 11.46.482, 11.46.484, 11.46.530, 11.46.620, 11.46.980, 11.46.990, 12.55.155, 43.72.010, 43.72.030, 43.72.080, 43.72.040, 43.72.050, 43.72.020, 43.72.060, 43.72.070, U.S.C, 43.72.090, 43.72.100, 43.72.110, 43.72.900
HB0097B, AM CSHB 97(JUD), introduced 05/02/2025: 11.41.360, 11.41.365, 11.41.367, 11.41.366, 11.41.369, 11.41.530, 11.41.410, 11.41.427, 11.46.100, 11.46.201, 11.46.160, 11.46.180, 11.46.190, 11.46.200, 11.46.210, 11.46.120, 11.46.130, 11.46.140, 11.46.220, 47.12.990, 11.46.150, 11.46.205, 11.46.207, 11.46.980, 11.46.990, 11.81.250, 11.66.110, 11.81.900, 12.10.010, 11.41.120, 11.41.330, 11.41.425, 11.41.450, 11.41.458, 12.37.010, 11.41.100, 11.41.110, 11.41.300, 11.66.120, 12.55.035, 12.55.045, 11.46.203, 12.55.125, 11.41.150, 11.41.200, 11.41.470, 12.55.155, 23.05.180, 23.10.110, 23.10.060, 23.10.065