NC S500

Expands the definition of human trafficking under G.S. 14-43.11(a) to include advertising, maintaining, patronizing, and soliciting victims, in addition to existing recruitment and transportation provisions.

Creates new offense of "profiting from human trafficking" (G.S. 14-43.15) for persons who financially benefit from ventures engaged in human trafficking violations, with penalties ranging from Class F felony (adult victims) to Class C felony (child victims).

Establishes new offense of "obstruction of investigation of human trafficking" (G.S. 14-43.16) as a Class F felony for anyone who obstructs or interferes with enforcement of human trafficking laws.

Specifies that violations of the profiting offense constitute separate offenses that do not merge with other charges.

Effective date of December 1, 2017, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.