The proposed legislation, known as Westons Law, seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding human trafficking, particularly concerning minors. It expands the definition of human trafficking to include the recruitment or coercion of juveniles under 18 years of age into criminal gangs or drug trafficking schemes. The bill introduces new provisions that classify various forms of exploitation, such as coercing, luring, or transporting minors for illegal activities, as crimes of human trafficking. Additionally, it specifies new prohibited methods of coercion, including stalking and sexual extortion, while broadening the scope of threats considered coercive. The legislation ensures that convictions for human trafficking will not merge with those for employing juveniles in drug distribution, allowing for more severe penalties.

Moreover, Westons Law 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 racketeering involving human trafficking. It also grants prosecutors the authority to waive juveniles to adult criminal court for human trafficking offenses. The bill emphasizes the importance of data collection and collaboration among agencies to monitor the effectiveness of these legal changes, ultimately aiming to provide law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat the exploitation of minors in the illegal drug trade, in memory of Weston Fundner, who tragically lost his life due to fentanyl exposure linked to such exploitation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-26.1, 2C:13-8, 2C:33-29