District 71 Capitol Hill Update with Representative David Byrd

Human trafficking: Public Chapter 1089 - To crack down on criminals who traffic children, a new law will expand the criteria for what qualifies as Class A felony offense of trafficking for a commercial sex act. Under the new law, a trafficker will be charged with a Class A felony if the victim is under the age of 18. Under previous statute, the victim had to be under 15 for the Class A felony charge to apply. It also creates a Class A felony offense of aggravated trafficking for a commercial sex act, and requires those convicted to serve 100% of any sentence imposed. Effective July 1, 2022

Increasing penalties for Human Trafficking: Public Chapter 1115 - Increases the punishment for several crimes related to human trafficking. It also establishes additional measures to help protect victims, including minors.

Crimes that would have their punishment increased as a result of the bill include:

• Involuntary servitude would go from a Class B felony to a Class A felony if the victim was a minor

• Forced labor or services would go from a Class C felony to a Class A felony if the victim was a minor

• Promoting prostitution would go from a Class B felony to a Class A felony if the victim was a minor, and from a Class D felony to a Class A felony if the person has an intellectual disability

• Patronizing prostitution would go from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class A felony when the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor

This law also requires the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to develop a policy to assist foreign national children suspected of being a victim of human trafficking. DCS must also develop, maintain and distribute assessment tools to juvenile justice agencies to screen children in the system that are at risk of human trafficking. Effective July 1, 2022

As always, I am truly humbled and honored to be your voice on Capitol Hill. If there is ever any issue I can assist with, please reach out to my office by calling 615-741-2190 or emailing me at [email protected]