Committee advances bill making 10 years the minimum sentence for certain child-trafficking convictions
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Summary
Senate Bill 1446 changes the sentencing range for child trafficking by replacing a statutory maximum of 10 years with a statutory minimum of 10 years; sponsors said prosecutors and some district attorneys support the change, while questions remained about how maximums would be set in practice.
Senate Bill 1446, presented by Senator Wingard, would change sentencing for child trafficking from a maximum sentence of 10 years to a minimum sentence of 10 years.
During questioning, Senator Brooks pressed the author on whether the bill arose from specific data or cases and asked what the bill would mean for maximum penalties. The author said the bill does not set a maximum and that sentencing outcomes would remain within the discretion of prosecutors, judges and juries, stating that "Arguably you could say" the practical result could be 10 years to life. The sponsor defended the change as protecting child victims and said some district attorneys had expressed support.
The committee debated the policy and the potential impact on sentencing ranges but did not adopt amendments to change the statutory maximum. The bill advanced on a roll call that recorded seven ayes and one nay.
The next steps include scheduling for floor consideration. Because the bill changes the statutory baseline sentence text, court-level sentencing practice and prosecutorial charging decisions will determine the practical maximum.