The bill amends the Michigan penal code, specifically section 462g, to clarify the requirements for victim testimony in human trafficking prosecutions. It establishes that a victim's testimony is not mandatory, and if a victim does choose to testify, their testimony does not need to be corroborated. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding expert testimony, allowing witnesses with specialized knowledge in areas related to human trafficking to be qualified as experts in court. This expert testimony can help the court understand the dynamics of human trafficking and victim responses, although such experts cannot provide opinions on the credibility of other witnesses.

Furthermore, the bill removes previous language that allowed expert testimony regarding the behavioral patterns of human trafficking victims to be admissible in court. It also ensures that victims or complainants cannot be excused from testifying on the grounds that their testimony may incriminate them, while also protecting their truthful testimony from being used against them in criminal cases, except in specific circumstances such as impeachment or perjury.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 750.462