House Bill No. 1215, titled 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 "debt bondage." It modifies the penalties for human trafficking offenses, establishing a minimum imprisonment term of five years and a maximum of twenty years for general offenses, while increasing the penalties for offenses involving minors to a minimum of fifteen years and a maximum of ninety-nine years. The bill also mandates that individuals convicted of human trafficking for commercial sex register as sex offenders and requires the Department of Corrections to report such convictions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that consent from a victim does not serve as a defense against prosecution for human trafficking, and it establishes that lack of knowledge regarding a victim's age is not a valid defense in cases involving minors. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025. Overall, this legislation seeks to enhance the state's response to human trafficking by imposing stricter penalties and improving the tracking of offenders.

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