HB 2207
Initials NM Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: JUD DPA 9-0-0-0
HB 2207: child sex trafficking; juvenile defendants
Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1
Caucus & COW
Overview
Exempts minor victims of child sex trafficking, who are themselves convicted of sex
trafficking, from being sentenced to natural life imprisonment.
History
Child sex trafficking is a criminal offense generally relating to child prostitution that can be
committed in a number of different ways. Almost all forms of this offense are classified as
class 2 felonies. The only form of child sex trafficking that is not a class 2 felony involves a
defendant who is at least 18 years old engaging in prostitution with a minor between 15 and
17 years old whom he did not know or have reason to know was a minor. If a person is
convicted of a class 2 felony for child sex trafficking, he is subject to a mandatory sentence of
natural life imprisonment without eligibility for any form of release (A.R.S. §§ 13-3212; 13-
720).
Provisions
1. Establishes that a person convicted of a class 2 felony for child sex trafficking is not to be
sentenced to natural life if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that said
person was:
a) less than 18 years old during the commission of the offense; and
b) a victim of child sex trafficking, perpetrated by another individual, prior to
committing the offense for which he is convicted. (Sec. 1)
2. Contains an intent clause. (Sec. 2)
3. Contains a Proposition 105 clause. (Sec. 3)
Amendments
Committee on Judiciary
1. Establishes that no person younger than 18 years old may be sentenced to natural life if
convicted of child sex trafficking, regardless of his having been sex trafficked or not.
☒ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note