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 offense is sentenced to natural life imprisonment without the possibility of release. The bill updates this provision by specifying that the natural life 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 United States 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 in the legal framework to differentiate between juvenile and adult offenders in cases of child sex trafficking.

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