Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB753

Introduced
3/3/25  

Caption

In human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

Impact

The introduction of HB 753 represents a significant shift in how the legal system addresses the realities faced by victims of human trafficking. By enabling individuals to vacate their convictions for crimes committed as a result of coercion, the bill aims to remove the legal stigma associated with such offenses and promote rehabilitation for victims rather than punishment. This change could not only help victims reclaim their lives after exploitation but also encourage reporting of trafficking incidents, as potential criminal repercussions may deter victims from seeking help.

Summary

House Bill 753 seeks to amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by enhancing protections for victims of human trafficking during legal proceedings. The bill allows victims to establish an affirmative defense if they commit an offense directly as a result of being a victim of human trafficking. This means that individuals charged with crimes such as prostitution, theft, or drug possession may have defenses based on their experiences as trafficking victims, regardless of whether their traffickers have faced prosecution.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 753 appears to be largely supportive among advocacy groups focused on human rights and victim support. Advocates argue that the bill is a crucial step toward acknowledging the complexities of trafficking and the need for a legal framework that reflects empathy and understanding. However, there may also be contention from some law enforcement or legal perspectives concerned about its implications for accountability and the potential for misuse of the affirmative defense clause.

Contention

One notable point of contention highlighted during discussions of HB 753 is the balance between protecting victims and ensuring that the justice system remains robust in addressing criminal behavior. Critics may raise concerns about the criteria for proving that a crime was committed as a result of human trafficking, fearing that it could lead to a slippery slope where legitimate criminal acts are excused under the guise of victimization. The discussion around implementation and monitoring of the law's effects will likely continue as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2227

In human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

PA SB88

In human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

PA SB890

In human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

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 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 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 SB44

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.

PA HB394

In human trafficking, further providing for civil causes of action.

PA HB1326

In criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

PA HB1782

In human trafficking, further providing for civil causes of action; in minors, further providing for sexual abuse of children; in computer offenses, further providing for definitions, for duty of Internet service provider and for application for order to remove or disable items; in child protective services, further providing for Task Force on Child Pornography; in recidivism risk reduction incentive, further providing for definitions; in Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for short sentence parole; and making an editorial change.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.