Bill > HB0405

This bill strengthens legal protections and penalties related to human trafficking in Utah by modifying several existing criminal statutes. The bill changes the classification of human trafficking for sexual exploitation from a second-degree to a first-degree felony and specifically defines various methods of coercion, including threats, document confiscation, abuse of legal processes, and exploiting dependency relationships. For human trafficking involving children, the bill introduces mandatory minimum prison sentences: 10 years to life for victims between 14-18 years old, and 15 years to life for victims under 14. The legislation also enhances penalties for benefitting from human trafficking, making violations involving children and sexual exploitation first-degree felonies with significant prison terms. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of aggravated human trafficking to include scenarios involving serious injury, death, multiple victims, extended trafficking duration, and specific sexual offenses. The bill also addresses human trafficking of vulnerable adults, establishing first-degree felony charges with mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years to life. These amendments aim to provide more robust legal tools to prosecute human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025.

Justice

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0405.html