The bill, known as the Sound of Freedom Act, amends Section 13A-6-152 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the punishment for certain human trafficking offenses. Key insertions include the requirement that if a defendant is nineteen years old or older and there is a minor trafficking victim, the court must impose a minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Additionally, the bill specifies that it is not necessary for the defendant to have knowledge of the minor victim's age, and a reasonable mistake of age is not a valid defense. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which corporations can be prosecuted for human trafficking offenses.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that any person who obstructs or interferes with the enforcement of this section will be guilty of a Class A felony. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and while it may require new or increased local expenditures, it is exempt from further requirements under Section 111.05 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022 due to its focus on defining a new crime or amending an existing one.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-6-152
Engrossed: 13A-6-152
Enrolled: 13A-6-152, 13A-6-152