This bill amends New Jersey law to eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of human trafficking offenses, allowing such prosecutions to be initiated at any time. Previously, prosecutions for human trafficking were required to be commenced within five years of the offense. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations for civil actions arising from human trafficking, allowing victims to file lawsuits within 10 years of the offense, 10 years after turning 18 if they were minors at the time of the injury, or within two years of discovering the injury, whichever is later.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that toll the statute of limitations during any period when the plaintiff is under a disability, such as mental illness or incapacity. It also stipulates that if a defendant has coerced a plaintiff into delaying the filing of a civil action through intimidation or fraud, they cannot claim that the statute of limitations has expired. These changes aim to enhance protections for victims of human trafficking and align state law with federal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:13-8.1