MS HB1393

Creates a civil cause of action allowing human trafficking victims to sue traffickers and anyone who intentionally or knowingly benefits from participating in a trafficking venture or enterprise

Eliminates criminal conviction as a prerequisite for civil liability; defendants can be held liable even if acquitted, not prosecuted, or convicted of a different offense

Holds entity shareholders or members jointly and severally liable if they caused the entity to be used for trafficking and personally benefited from it

Awards prevailing claimants actual damages (including mental anguish without requiring proof of other injury), court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and potentially exemplary damages

Effective date of July 1, 2022