HB 553 Summary

• Increases penalty for procuring sexual servitude of a minor from 5-30 years to 30 years to life imprisonment, with minimum fine raised from $50,000 to $100,000 and maximum fine up to $500,000.

• Increases penalty for human trafficking of non-minor victims from 2-20 years to minimum 25 years up to life imprisonment, with minimum fine raised from $10,000 to $50,000 and maximum fine up to $250,000.

• Creates new felony offense for anyone except parents or guardians who knowingly cause a child to violate drug laws or participate in gang activities, punishable by minimum 10 years imprisonment or fine up to $10,000.

• Creates new offense for anyone except parents, guardians or caretakers who knowingly endanger a child by exposing them to drug manufacturing or possession, punishable by minimum 10 years imprisonment or fine up to $10,000, or up to 20 years if substantial harm results.

• Designates the Center for Violence Prevention as lead organization to coordinate statewide response to human trafficking victims and missing, runaway, and endangered children, including emergency services, regional response teams, and a statewide hotline.

• Extends definition of "child" from age 18 to 21 years old for purposes of contributing to delinquency statutes, with exceptions for active military and married individuals.