CT HB05621

Establishes a Trafficking in Persons Council within the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, consisting of state officials, law enforcement, victim advocates, and nine public members representing various organizations focused on trafficking victims and related services.

Requires state's attorneys and municipal police chiefs to report annually on anti-trafficking efforts, investigations, training, referrals, and case dispositions to the judiciary and children's committees.

Mandates hotel, motel, and inn operators to maintain guest transaction records for at least six months and require employees to receive training on identifying and reporting suspected human trafficking victims.

Raises the age of criminal liability for prostitution from 16 to 18 years old and provides an affirmative defense for trafficking victims; increases penalties for patronizing prostitutes, particularly when involving minors or trafficking victims.

Expands human trafficking laws by removing "more than one occurrence" language, raises penalties for promoting prostitution with fines up to $15,000, and allows defendants convicted of prostitution to vacate convictions if they prove they were trafficking victims.