House Bill No. 1215, known as the "Oklahoma Human Trafficking Law," aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding human trafficking in Oklahoma. The bill amends existing laws to update definitions and penalties related to human trafficking, including the addition of terms such as "pimping" and "victim." It modifies the definition of "coercion" to include new forms of intimidation and expands the scope of penalties for offenders. Notably, individuals convicted of human trafficking for commercial sex will be required to register as sex offenders, and the Department of Corrections will be mandated to report such convictions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The bill also establishes that consent from a victim does not serve as a defense against prosecution, and it clarifies that lack of knowledge regarding a victim's age is not a valid defense in cases involving minors. The penalties for human trafficking offenses have been adjusted, with specific terms of imprisonment outlined for different circumstances, including harsher penalties for offenses involving minors. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-748, 21-748.2
House Committee Substitute: 21-748
Floor (House): 21-748
Floor (Senate): 21-748
Engrossed: 21-748
Sub Committee OR Policy Committee Recommendations (House) Policy Committee Recommendation: 21-748