This bill amends the penalties for trafficking offenses involving individuals under 18 years of age, specifically increasing the minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment. The current law stipulates a minimum sentence of 7 years and a maximum of 30 years for such offenses. The proposed changes replace these terms with a minimum sentence of 18 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The bill also clarifies that knowledge of the victim's age is not required for conviction, and consent from the victim does not serve as a defense.

The bill affects two specific sections of the law, RSA 633:7, II and III, which address the maintenance and availability of minors for commercial sex acts and related trafficking activities. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may influence costs associated with the judicial and correctional systems, including prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 633:7