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Bill > A1215
NJ A1215
NJ A1215Expands crime of human trafficking to include individuals who benefit financially.
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
The bill expands the reach of the statute by including those individuals who receive a "financial benefit" from participating in human trafficking without necessarily being an "organizer, supervisor, financier or manager" of the enterprise or scheme. Under the current law, a person commits the crime of human trafficking if he: (1) knowingly holds, recruits, lures, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains, by any means, another, to engage in unlawful sexual activity or to provide labor or services: ? by threats of serious bodily harm or physical restraint against the person or any other person; ? by means of any scheme, plan or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that the person or any other person would suffer serious bodily harm or physical restraint; ? by criminal coercion; or ? by destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or possessing any passport, immigration-related document or other government document; or ? by means of the abuse or threatened abuse of the law or legal process; or (2) receives anything of value from participation as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager in a scheme or course of conduct which violates paragraph (1) of this subsection.
AI Summary
This bill expands the definition of human trafficking to include individuals who financially benefit from the crime, even if they are not directly involved in organizing, supervising, financing, or managing the operation. Previously, the law primarily targeted those in leadership roles or those who received value from such positions. The bill also clarifies that human trafficking can involve luring or obtaining a child under 18 for labor or services, not just sexual activity, and that a mistaken belief about the child's age is not a defense. Important terms like "financial benefit" are now explicitly included, broadening the scope of who can be prosecuted for human trafficking. This change aims to hold more individuals accountable for profiting from the exploitation of others.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (7)
Dawn Fantasia (R)*,
Michael Inganamort (R)*,
Aura Dunn (R),
Vicky Flynn (R),
Paul Kanitra (R),
Gerry Scharfenberger (R),
Jay Webber (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness 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/A1215 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1215_I1.HTM |
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