HF130 would add mandatory minimum prison terms for first-degree trafficking of minors; bill laid over after technical questions

Representative Harder presented House File 130 to the committee, proposing a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for first-degree trafficking of a minor and higher minimums in aggravating circumstances such as prior trafficking convictions, bodily harm to the victim, holding a victim in debt bondage or exploitation lasting more than 180 days, or multiple victims. "House file 130 establishes a 10 year mandatory minimum sentenced for first degree *** trafficking of a minor under the age of 18," Harder said, adding that the minimum increases to 12 years under specified aggravators.

Harder said the bill is intended to ensure traffickers are "locked up in a secured facility so they cannot continue to prey upon our children." Caroline Palmer from MDH attended to provide technical assistance. Members asked how the proposed mandatory minimums would fit into existing Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines and noted that current presumptive terms for aggravated trafficking are already substantial; nonpartisan staff reported that first-degree trafficking is slotted at offense levels with presumptive sentences (cited in committee discussion as 144 months for a higher level and 90 months for a lower level). Representative Pinto and others asked whether the statutory structure could inadvertently capture actors whose conduct is materially different from the most serious trafficking cases. Harder said the bill focuses on protecting victims and ensuring accountability.

Committee members asked for additional technical work and sentencing-grid analysis; HF130 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus.