SB 218 Summary

• Renames "promoting prostitution" offenses to "sex trafficking" across multiple statutes (AS 11.66.110-11.66.135) to align terminology with federal anti-trafficking standards.

• Elevates prostitution to a class C felony when the person engaged in prostitution is under 18 years of age and the other person is 18 or older and at least 3 years older.

• Changes the crime of furnishing indecent material to minors from "knowingly" to "intentionally," and includes possession with intent to distribute as a prosecutable action.

• Adds sex trafficking in the first degree and human trafficking in the first degree as serious felony offenses for purposes of sentencing and criminal procedure.

• Authorizes testimony by contemporaneous two-way video conference in criminal trials when the witness is unavailable and testimony furthers an important public policy, subject to oath and cross-examination.

• Expands forfeiture provisions to apply to all prostitution and sex trafficking offenses (AS 11.66.100-11.66.135) rather than only third-degree offenses.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.