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Bill > S1270
NJ S1270
NJ S1270Eliminates statute of limitations for human trafficking prosecutions and extends statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of human trafficking, and extends the statute of limitations under which a victim of human trafficking may bring a civil suit against the perpetrator. Under current law, a prosecution for human trafficking must be commenced, by way of an indictment, within five years after the offense is committed. Additionally, a civil suit brought by a victim must also be filed within five years. Under the bill, a criminal prosecution may be commenced at any time. Also, under the bill, a civil suit may be filed within 10 years of the conduct, within 10 years of a victim turning 18 years old if the victim is a minor, or within two years of a plaintiff's discovery of the injury, whichever is later. Extending the civil statute of limitations to 10 years will bring State law into accord with similar provisions under federal law. Under the bill, the civil statute of limitations will not begin to run until a continuing course of conduct relating to the human trafficking of the plaintiff is terminated. Furthermore, the statute of limitations may be tolled for any period of time during which the plaintiff is under a disability, which includes any intellectual disability, hospitalization for mental illness, or finding of mental incapacity. Finally, the bill prohibits a defendant who coerced a plaintiff to delay filing suit by means of intimidation, duress, threats, or fraud from asserting a defense that the statute of limitations has already run.
AI Summary
This bill eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of human trafficking, meaning charges can be brought at any time after the offense occurs, and extends the time victims have to file civil lawsuits against their traffickers. Previously, both criminal charges and civil lawsuits had to be filed within five years. Under this bill, civil lawsuits can be filed up to 10 years after the trafficking conduct ends, or 10 years after a victim turns 18 if they were a minor at the time of the abuse, or two years after the victim discovers the injury, whichever is latest, aligning with federal law. The bill also clarifies that the clock for civil lawsuits doesn't start until a continuous course of trafficking ends, and the time limit can be paused if the victim has a disability, such as a mental illness or intellectual disability, or if the trafficker coerced the victim into delaying the lawsuit through intimidation, threats, or fraud.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1270 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1270_I1.HTM |
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