Bill > S906

This bill aims to enhance the lives of survivors of human trafficking. It proposes the following key provisions: 1. It allows a court to vacate a conviction, adjudication of delinquency, or continuance without a finding for certain offenses, if the defendant can establish that their participation in the offense was a result of being a victim of human trafficking. This creates a rebuttable presumption for certain offenses, such as prostitution-related crimes. 2. It allows the court to consider any evidence it deems appropriate in determining whether the defendant was a victim of human trafficking, including hearsay evidence. 3. It provides that upon vacatur of a conviction, adjudication of delinquency, or continuance without a finding, the defendant can raise an affirmative defense that their participation in the offense was a result of being a victim of human trafficking. 4. It requires the court to seal the records of any case where a plea of not guilty was entered under this law and the case was subsequently dismissed, the defendant was found not guilty, or a nolle prosequi was entered. This allows the defendant to avoid disqualification from public employment due to the sealed record.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S906