An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; and, in juvenile matters, repealing provisions relating to dependency in lieu of delinquency.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill changes Pennsylvania law to better protect sexually exploited children. It creates a ‘safe harbor’ for these children, shielding them from prosecution for certain offenses like trespassing and prostitution, as long as they are determined to be victims of trafficking. Additionally, the bill removes provisions that required dependency proceedings when juveniles committed offenses related to their exploitation, instead directing those cases to juvenile probation or the district attorney’s office if appropriate. It also clarifies that a child’s involvement in these offenses is a direct result of being a sexually exploited child.
Key provisions
- Creates a ‘safe harbor’ for sexually exploited children under 18, protecting them from prosecution for certain crimes.
- Defines ‘sexually exploited child’ for legal purposes.
- Removes the requirement to initiate dependency proceedings for juveniles involved in offenses linked to their exploitation.
- Directs relevant cases to juvenile probation or the district attorney’s office if further action is needed.
- Specifies that offenses related to a child’s exploitation must be directly linked to trafficking or sexual exploitation.
- Clarifies that a child’s involvement in certain offenses is a direct result of being a sexually exploited child.
- Addresses detention procedures for sexually exploited children, limiting it to assisting with services or referrals.
Who is affected
- Sexually exploited children
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 2936 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
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