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 into gang or drug trafficking activities, making it a crime to knowingly coerce, hold, recruit, or entice a child under 18 to engage in sexual activity or participate in criminal street gang activities or drug distribution schemes. Offenses under this law will be classified as first-degree crimes, carrying severe penalties, including a minimum 20-year prison sentence without parole eligibility for certain violations. The bill also introduces new language that emphasizes the importance of considering a juvenile's age, maturity, and prior history when determining whether to waive jurisdiction to adult courts for serious offenses, including human trafficking.

Additionally, Westons Law amends the civil damages section of the State RICO law, allowing victims of human trafficking to seek triple damages for losses incurred due to racketeering activities. It grants the Superior Court jurisdiction to issue various orders to prevent violations of the law, including the dissolution of enterprises involved in human trafficking. The legislation aims to protect minors from exploitation in the illegal drug trade and provides law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat these crimes. Named in memory of Weston Fundner, a victim of fentanyl overdose linked to coercion by drug traffickers, the bill underscores the urgent need to address the vulnerabilities of youth in these criminal activities.

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