H342 - Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws

• Expands sexual servitude offense to criminalize buyers who knowingly obtain persons for sexual servitude, effective December 1, 2019.

• Establishes that mistake of age and consent of a minor are not defenses to solicitation of prostitution charges; increases penalties for soliciting minors (Class G felony) and persons with severe mental disabilities (Class E felony), effective December 1, 2019.

• Increases felony classifications for sexual exploitation of minors: first degree from Class C to Class B2, second degree from Class E to Class C, and third degree from Class H to Class D, effective December 1, 2019.

• Mandates restitution to trafficking victims based on greater of gross income to defendant or minimum wage/overtime under Fair Labor Standards Act; subjects offenders to property forfeiture, effective December 1, 2019.

• Creates new offense of promoting travel for unlawful sexual conduct (Class G felony) and prohibits defending human trafficking charges based on use of law enforcement decoys; expands expungement eligibility for trafficking victims and allows vacation of nonviolent offense convictions for trafficking victims, effective December 1, 2019.

• Exempts child sex trafficking victims from grounds for denial or reduction of crime victims compensation awards; requires Human Trafficking Commission to study services for minor trafficking victims and report findings by March 15, 2020.