Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 8624: Permits courts to award punitive damages against an estate for sexual abuse

This bill allows courts to award punitive damages against the estate of a deceased person accused of sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or sex trafficking of minors or adults. It removes the barrier of the defendant's death, enabling victims to pursue punitive damages against the personal representative of the estate in civil lawsuits. The standard for proving punitive damages under this law is a "preponderance of the evidence," and the bill explicitly states that such claims cannot be limited or ended by the defendant's death. It applies to all pending and future cases filed on or after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables victims to pursue punitive damages against estates of abusers, enhancing accountability and access to justice in sexual abuse cases, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8939: Relates to penalties for a lodging facility that fails to comply with certain requirements for providing information concerning services for human trafficking victims

Provides that a lodging facility that fails to comply with certain requirements for providing information concerning services for human trafficking victims shall be liable for a civil penalty of five hundred dollars for a first offense and one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense; provides for concurrent enforcement by the director or commissioner of a municipal consumer affairs office or by the town attorney, city corporation counsel, or other lawful designee of a municipality.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires lodging facilities to provide trafficking victim services info, aiding victim support and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1645: Provides for priority status to victims of human trafficking for the receipt of certain assistance

Provides for priority for applications and expedited determination of claims for a human trafficking victim who wishes to remove permanent marks that were part of the trafficking of such victim, including but not limited to, tattoos, markings, brandings, or other symbols or insignia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim assistance for human trafficking survivors, aligning with criminal justice reform by supporting victim rights and trauma recovery95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1808: Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences due to domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking

Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences when the employee or employee's family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking upon the employee's request for reasons related to such offense or offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim leave, aligns with criminal justice reform by supporting survivors' access to justice and reducing barriers to reporting85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides additional unpaid leave for workers facing domestic violence and related issues, protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 17, 2025

A 1029: Relates to individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime

Provides immunity from prosecution for certain individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime and who report such crime or assist in the investigation or prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity to prostitution victims/witnesses reporting crimes, removing prosecution barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7003: Expands the statute of limitations for certain sex offenses

Expands the statute of limitations for certain sex offenses to include sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a child; provides that in an action brought for human trafficking, it is not necessary to require that a criminal charge be brought or a criminal conviction be obtained as a condition of bringing a civil cause of action or receiving a civil judgment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands statute of limitations for sex offenses and enables civil actions without criminal conviction, aligning with victim protection and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7356: Relates to confidentiality of records in proceedings to vacate convictions for offenses resulting from sex trafficking, labor trafficking and compelling prostitution

Provides for confidentiality of records in proceedings to vacate convictions for offenses resulting from sex trafficking, labor trafficking and compelling prostitution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides confidentiality for vacating convictions of trafficking victims, enabling justice reform and protecting victims' rights without criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6056: Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences due to domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking

Requires employers to provide up to ten additional days of unpaid leave for absences when the employee or employee's family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking upon the employee's request for reasons related to such offense or offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victim leave for crime-related absences, aligning with criminal justice reform by supporting victims' access to safety and legal processes.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' rights by mandating unpaid leave for domestic violence/stalking victims, directly protecting employee safety and well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Paid Leave

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in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 2513: Enacts "Cecilia's act for rights in the sex trades" relating to the decriminalization of sex work; repealer

Enacts "Cecilia's act for rights in the sex trades"; decriminalizes certain prostitution offenses; amends provisions relating to prosecution of such offenses and vacating judgments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes prostitution offenses, reduces criminalization, and vacates past judgments - aligning with reform indicators like protecting sex workers' rights and reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6506: Directs the department of social services of the city of New York to provide shelter to victims of human trafficking at a residential program exclusively for victims of human trafficking

This bill requires New York City's Department of Social Services to provide up to 90 days of emergency shelter in a specialized residential program exclusively for human trafficking victims, regardless of their eligibility for public assistance. Victims needing continued support may receive two additional 45-day extensions if they still require emergency services. The department must coordinate with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the policy does not affect existing federal or state rights, including disability accommodations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes specialized shelter for human trafficking victims, directly supporting victim services and rights within criminal justice reform, aligning with protection indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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