Bill > S06358

This bill, known as the "Child Sex Crime Victims Protection Act" or "Sara's Law," establishes alternative sentencing procedures for individuals who committed crimes as adults when they were under 20 years old and were victims of child sex crimes or human trafficking. The legislation allows courts significant discretion in sentencing such individuals, including the ability to depart from mandatory minimum sentences, suspend portions of sentences, or transfer individuals under 18 back to family court jurisdiction. If a person is currently serving a sentence for an offense committed before the law's effective date, they can apply to be resentenced under these new provisions. The application process involves submitting documentation proving eligibility, which includes demonstrating that the individual either committed a crime against someone who previously trafficked or sexually abused them, or committed the offense as a direct result of being a trafficking victim. The bill prioritizes treating these individuals as victims who need rehabilitation and support rather than traditional criminal prosecution, and provides a comprehensive framework for courts to review and potentially modify existing sentences based on the individual's history of victimization.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6358