This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding sentencing for individuals convicted of a class 2 felony for child sex trafficking. Under the current law, a person convicted of this felony is sentenced to natural life imprisonment without the possibility of release. The bill updates this provision by specifying that such a sentence applies only if the offender was at least 18 years old at the time of the offense. This change aims to ensure that juveniles are not subjected to life sentences, thereby preserving their rights under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Additionally, the bill includes a legislative intent clause and stipulates that the amendments will only take effect if approved by at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature. The bill also makes technical changes to the existing language of the statute. Overall, these updates reflect a shift towards more nuanced sentencing practices that consider the age of the offender at the time of the crime.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-720
House Engrossed Version: 13-720
Chaptered Version: 13-720