SB 24-035

Senate Bill 24-035 in Colorado makes human trafficking for both sexual and labor purposes more serious crimes, leading to harsher punishments. It also removes the requirement that victims prove they were forced into trafficking when defending themselves against charges. Additionally, it extends the time frame during which these crimes can be prosecuted from the current limit to 20 years, except in cases involving minors for sexual exploitation, where there is no time limit. The bill was signed by the governor and took effect on April 11, 2024, meaning its provisions are now law.

Official Summary

Under current law, "crimes of violence" are subject to enhanced sentencing. The act adds human trafficking of an adult or a minor for the purpose of involuntary servitude and human trafficking of an adult or a minor for sexual servitude to the list of crimes of violence that are subject to enhanced sentencing. Under current law, it is an affirmative defense to a charge of human trafficking for sexual servitude if the person being charged can demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that, at the time of the offense, the person was a victim of human trafficking for sexual servitude who was forced or coerced into engaging in the human trafficking of minors for sexual servitude. The act extends the affirmative defense if the person was forced or coerced into engaging in human trafficking for sexual servitude and removes the preponderance of evidence standard. The act makes the statute of limitations for human trafficking of an adult or a minor for the purpose of involuntary servitude and human trafficking of an adult for sexual servitude 20 years. The act does not change the unlimited statute of limitations for human trafficking for sexual servitude of a minor. APPROVED by Governor April 11, 2024 EFFECTIVE April 11, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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