HB 24-1345

House Bill 24-1345 extends the Human Trafficking Council's term for seven more years and ensures that survivor members receive compensation for their time. It also allows human trafficking victims to use a confidential address program, similar to those used by domestic violence survivors. Additionally, the bill enables courts to vacate convictions if they were committed as a result of being trafficked, provided there is clear evidence supporting this claim. The bill was signed into law and took effect on May 31, 2024, meaning these changes are now in place.

Official Summary

The act extends the human trafficking council for 7 years. Under current law, members of the human trafficking council serve without compensation. The act requires appointed survivor council members receive an hourly rate for time attending council meetings not to exceed 8 hours per meeting at the expert witness rate. The existing address confidentiality program allows victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, and stalking and persons involved in the provision of reproductive health care to use a substitute address for purposes of public records and confidential mail forwarding. The act adds victims of human trafficking as persons who can use the address confidentiality program. The act allows an individual convicted of a crime that is not subject to the "Victim Rights Act" to motion the court to vacate the conviction if the crime was committed as a result of the individual being a victim of human trafficking. A court uses a clear and convincing evidentiary standard to determine whether to order the conviction vacated. For the state fiscal year 2024-25, the act appropriates $266,826 from the general fund to the department of public safety for use by the division of criminal justice to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor May 31, 2024 EFFECTIVE May 31, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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