NC S162

Establishes a unified definition of "victim" in human trafficking law to apply throughout Article 10A of Chapter 14.

Creates an affirmative defense for individuals charged under human trafficking statutes if they were coerced or deceived into committing the offense as a direct result of their victim status, effective December 1, 2018.

Requires confidentiality of names, addresses, and identifying information for trafficking victims, alleged victims, and their immediate family members, with exceptions for law enforcement investigations, provision of services, written requests, and court orders; violations constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Expands mandatory restitution for trafficking victims to include costs for medical care, psychological treatment, housing, transportation, funeral services, and recovery assistance; unclaimed restitution after two years goes to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

Includes human trafficking victims under age 18 in the definition of "abused juveniles" for child welfare purposes regardless of perpetrator relationship, extends Rule 412 of the Evidence Code protections to sexual servitude charges, and increases Human Trafficking Commission membership from 12 to 15 members with judicial representation.