Bill > S0188

This bill, the "Safe Harbor for Exploited Minors Act," aims to protect the identity of minor victims of human trafficking and provide certain protections for minors charged with crimes related to prostitution and coerced involvement in such crimes. The key provisions include: prohibiting the disclosure of the identity of minor trafficking victims, allowing minors charged with prostitution-related crimes to raise a defense of coercion, presuming that minors engaged in commercial sexual acts or sex trafficking were under reasonable fear or coercion, directing courts to consider first-time offenders for pretrial diversion programs, and requiring law enforcement to contact the Department of Social Services when a minor is being prostituted or trafficked. The bill also clarifies that a victim's residence in a shelter is voluntary and that admission to a shelter cannot be conditioned on the victim's cooperation with law enforcement.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0188&session=123&summary=B