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Bill > S3589


NJ S3589

NJ S3589
Increases penalties for human trafficking of children.


summary

Introduced
09/19/2024
In Committee
09/19/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill increases penalties for human trafficking of a child under 18 years of age. Under current law, a person commits the crime of human trafficking of a child if he knowingly holds, recruits, lures, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains, by any means, a child under 18 years of age, to engage in sexual activity. Such an offense is a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. However, current law provides that the term of imprisonment, imposed for human trafficking of a child to engage in sexual activity, is: either a term of 20 years during which the actor is not eligible for parole; or a specific term between 20 years and life imprisonment, of which the actor is required to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole. The bill amends current law to encompass any other act of human trafficking of a child under 18 years of age, not just human trafficking a child to engage in sexual activity. The bill provides that the term of imprisonment imposed for any act of human trafficking of a child under the age of 18 years of age is life imprisonment, without eligibility for parole.

AI Summary

This bill amends the existing law on human trafficking of children. It expands the definition of human trafficking to include any act of holding, recruiting, luring, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining a child under 18, not just for sexual activity but also for labor or services. The bill imposes a mandatory life sentence without parole for any act of human trafficking of a child under 18, a significant increase in penalties compared to the current law. The bill also requires the imposition of a minimum $25,000 fine for such offenses, with the funds going to a "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 09/19/2024)

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