Westons Law is a proposed piece of legislation designed to enhance the legal framework surrounding human trafficking, particularly concerning minors. The bill expands the definition of human trafficking to include the recruitment or coercion of juveniles into gang or drug trafficking activities, classifying such acts as a crime of the first degree. It introduces new penalties, including a mandatory minimum prison term of 20 years without parole for those convicted of these offenses. Additionally, the bill modifies the juvenile delinquency framework, allowing for the waiver of jurisdiction to adult courts for serious offenses, including human trafficking, while mandating the collection and analysis of data related to juvenile waivers.
The legislation also amends the civil damages provision of the State RICO law, enabling victims of human trafficking to seek triple damages in civil suits against individuals convicted of related racketeering activities. It broadens the scope of coercive methods and ensures that convictions for human trafficking do not merge with other offenses, allowing for more severe penalties. Overall, Westons Law aims to provide law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat the exploitation of minors in the illegal drug trade, honoring the memory of Weston Fundner, who lost his life due to fentanyl exposure linked to such exploitation.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 2A:4A-26.1, 2C:13-8, 2C:33-29