This bill seeks to strengthen Alaska's legal framework regarding human trafficking and wage theft by introducing new definitions and classifications for these 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 either a class B or C felony based on the value of services involved. Additionally, the bill defines wage theft as various forms of employer misconduct related to employee compensation, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class B felonies depending on the amount of unpaid wages. The legislation also revises theft definitions, including organized theft, and clarifies that theft-related offenses do not apply to wage theft.

Moreover, the bill mandates that courts order restitution for victims of specific theft-related offenses, ensuring full compensation for unpaid wages. It adds "human trafficking in the first degree" to the list of serious offenses that carry a minimum five-year prison sentence and requires employers found liable for unpaid wages to pay double the owed amount along with any legal costs incurred by the employee. The bill also modifies employer liability provisions, removing exceptions for liquidated damages and attorney fees, and repeals outdated legal sections. These changes aim to enhance victim compensation, strengthen penalties for serious crimes, and ensure employees receive fair compensation for unpaid wages, with the new provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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