This bill aims to increase the penalties for human trafficking involving children under the age of 18. It expands the definition of human trafficking to include not only the act of engaging a child in sexual activity but also any means of obtaining a child to provide labor or services. The bill specifies that a person commits the crime of human trafficking if they knowingly hold, recruit, lure, entice, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain a child under 18 years of age for these purposes, regardless of whether they mistakenly believed the child was 18 or older.

The penalties for such offenses are significantly heightened under this bill. It establishes that any act of human trafficking involving a child under 18 years of age will result in a sentence of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole. Additionally, the bill mandates a minimum fine of $25,000 for convictions, which will be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." This legislative change reflects a strong commitment to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable children from exploitation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:13-8