Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB44

Introduced
6/6/23  
Refer
6/6/23  
Refer
6/28/23  
Report Pass
6/28/23  
Engrossed
6/29/23  
Refer
6/30/23  
Refer
12/12/23  
Report Pass
12/13/23  
Refer
12/13/23  
Report Pass
12/13/23  
Enrolled
12/14/23  
Chaptered
12/14/23  

Caption

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for the offense of trafficking in individuals and for the offense of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude; in minors, further providing for unlawful contact with minor; and, in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for definitions and for persons eligible to apply.

Impact

If enacted, SB44 would impose stricter definitions and enhanced penalties for perpetrators of human trafficking and those who patronize victims. The bill also addresses unlawful contact with minors, thereby reinforcing protections against exploitation. Furthermore, it expands the eligibility criteria for individuals who seek to apply for victim address confidentiality programs, which serves to protect the identities of those who have been victims of human trafficking and domestic/sexual violence.

Summary

Senate Bill 44 focuses on enhancing protections and clarifications related to human trafficking and sexual servitude in Pennsylvania. The bill proposes amendments to existing laws defined under Titles 18 and 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, aiming to refine definitions and enhance penalties for offenses related to trafficking individuals and patrons of sexual servitude. In particular, it updates the definitions of 'sexual servitude' and 'victim of human trafficking' for better clarity and legal applicability.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SB44 has been supportive, especially among legislators and advocacy groups focused on human rights and protections for vulnerable populations. Advocates argue that these amendments are essential for providing better justice and support to victims of trafficking. There is an understanding that these enhancements can lead to improved law enforcement responses and victim assistance programs.

Contention

Despite the overall support, there may be points of contention regarding the implementation of these definitions and how they affect existing laws and resources allocated to victim support. Questions could arise regarding the adequacy of funding and training for law enforcement to adequately enforce these new definitions and the potential for increased burden on judicial resources as they adapt to new legal frameworks.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB983

In general provisions, further providing for classes of offenses; in authorized disposition of offenders, providing for sentence for trafficking in minors to sexual servitude; in human trafficking, further providing for trafficking in individuals; and, in sentencing authority, providing for sentencing procedure for trafficking in minors to sexual servitude.

PA SB1111

In sentencing, further providing for definitions and for sexual offenses and tier system.

PA HB2646

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for the offense of trafficking in undocumented immigrants.

PA HB975

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for the offense of trafficking in undocumented immigrants.

PA HB355

In minors, further providing for the offense of corruption of minors and for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

PA SB1299

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

PA SB143

In human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1352

In minors, further providing for the offense of unlawful contact with minor.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB2585

In protection of victims of sexual violence or intimidation, further providing for definitions.

Similar Bills

HI HB111

Relating To Sex Trafficking.

HI SB2758

Relating To Sex Trafficking.

CA SCR15

Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

ND HB1308

Duties of the human trafficking commission and immunity for reporting human trafficking; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a contingent effective date.

CA ACR140

Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

CA AR72

Relative to Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

CA ACR7

Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

UT HB0405

Human Trafficking Amendments