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Committee reports bill expanding immunity for minors exploited by traffickers
Summary
Representative Webster said HB 2243 would expand immunity from prosecution for nonviolent offenses committed while a minor was coerced by a trafficker and require referral to specialized services; the committee reported the bill 24–2.
Representative Webster presented House Bill 2243, saying the measure expands existing statutory immunity so minors who committed nonviolent offenses while coerced by a trafficker cannot be prosecuted for those offenses and must be referred to specialized social services.
Committee counsel explained the bill expands immunity provisions from prostitution-related offenses to all children identified as exploited, repeals an inconsistent provision in Title 42 for consistency, and takes effect in 60 days. Members questioned whether the bill should change dependency-in-lieu-of-delinquency processes and raised concerns that immunity might reduce legal hooks used to secure services; Representative Ledbetter sought clarification on whether all abused children would be eligible or only those identified as exploited. Counsel said the bill does not expand eligibility to all abused children but retains the safe-harbor focus on exploited children.
After discussion, the committee voted to report HB 2243 to the next stage with a 24–2 vote, and counsel said there are no amendments.
