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House narrowly approves bill allowing capital charges when trafficking causes death
Summary
HB176 was amended and passed 38–37 to allow prosecutors to seek capital charges when a death occurs during human trafficking, removing the need to prove intent to kill; sponsors said it adds a prosecutorial tool, while some members urged caution pending broader death-penalty review.
Representative Ray moved to uncircle and then presented HB176, which would permit prosecutors to seek capital punishment when human trafficking results in death without proving specific intent to murder. Ray said the change mirrors past adjustments to capital statutes where the result — the death during the commission of a crime — is sufficient to enable a capital charge.
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