Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1286: An Act amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act, further providing for definitions; providing for training requirements for public lodging establishments and for training requirements for third-party listing platforms and rental operators; further providing for enforcement, for violation, for affirmative defenses, for administrative penalties and for criminal penalties; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

HB 1286 requires human trafficking awareness training for employees at hotels, motels, and similar public lodging establishments (defined as facilities offering >10 rooms for rent) and for workers contracted by third-party providers serving these locations. It also mandates similar training for short-term rental operators (like Airbnb hosts) and platforms listing such rentals. The training must cover identifying trafficking signs, legal definitions, reporting procedures, and differences between labor and sex trafficking in lodging contexts, with records maintained for two years. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will approve and list free training programs online to meet these requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trafficking awareness training for lodging/rental workers, enhancing victim identification and reporting to law enforcement - directly supporting criminal justice efforts against trafficking.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 44: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions and providing for victim determination statement and for State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator; and, in licensing of drivers, providing for restoration of operating privilege for victims of human trafficking.

SB 44 creates a formal process for confirming someone is a victim of human trafficking in Pennsylvania through a "victim determination statement" issued by authorized entities like legal aid organizations or victim service providers. This statement confirms the victim’s status and details the trafficking period and related offenses, which can be used to address legal consequences stemming from their victimization. The bill also establishes a State Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator to coordinate statewide victim services and support. Victims with a valid statement can petition to restore driver’s licenses suspended due to offenses committed while trafficked, unless the department deems them a traffic safety risk.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes victim determination process to prevent legal consequences for trafficking victims, advancing victim protection in criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects trafficking victims (labor exploitation) via victim determination statement, addressing legal consequences from trafficking, advancing workers' rights as per topic definition.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 143: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for victim protection during prosecution and for safe harbor for sexually exploited children; in sex trafficking and missing and abducted children, further providing for county responsibilities; in juvenile matters, further providing for dependency in lieu of delinquency; and making an editorial change.

SB 143 redefines "sexually exploited child" in Pennsylvania law to include minors involved in sex trafficking or prostitution under specific circumstances. It creates a "safe harbor" that prevents prosecution for offenses like prostitution or obstruction if a child is determined to be sexually exploited, instead requiring county agencies to assess the child’s situation and connect them with support services. The bill mandates law enforcement to notify county agencies when a child may be exploited, and courts must pause delinquency proceedings to verify if the child’s actions resulted from exploitation. These changes directly affect minors under 18 involved in sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, shifting responses from criminal penalties to victim support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates 'safe harbor' preventing prosecution of exploited children, shifting focus to victim support services and county assessments per bill's definitions and mandates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 1632: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.

HB 1632 requires Pennsylvania teachers to complete a new human trafficking awareness training as part of their continuing education requirements starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from the Attorney General's office and human trafficking organizations, covers federal/state laws, victim identification methods, risk factors, and reporting resources like the state hotline. It must be at least one hour long, available online, and counts toward teachers' existing professional development credits. The bill directly affects all professional educators in Pennsylvania who need continuing education under current certification rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates human trafficking awareness training for teachers to improve victim identification and reporting, aiding law enforcement in criminal justice efforts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates teacher training on human trafficking awareness, enhancing educator preparedness to protect students and aligns with supporting teachers' professional development in K-12 safety protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1281: An Act providing for duties of certifying officials and certifying agencies relating to the processing of certification form petitions.

HB 1281 establishes clear duties for Pennsylvania law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts (referred to as "certifying agencies") when processing certification forms required for U visas. The bill directly affects crime victims seeking U visas (which require certification that they were helpful to investigations), their legal representatives, and the agencies handling these requests. Key provisions require certifying officials to respond to petitions, develop and publicly post a detailed processing protocol (including online), and maintain records of all certifications. This bill does not change U visa eligibility but standardizes how Pennsylvania agencies handle the certification process for victims of qualifying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines U visa certification process for crime victims, enhancing victim access to protections within criminal justice system95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationHB 1281 streamlines U visa certification for immigrant crime victims by requiring state agencies to respond to petitions and publish clear processes, directly supporting immigrant access to protective visa status.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 210: An Act amending the act of October 25, 2012 (P.L.1618, No.197), known as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act, further providing for required posting.

HB 210 requires businesses (such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores) to post signs in visible restroom locations - including stalls, mirrors, and above hand dryers - with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline number (1-888-373-7888) and a statement about legal protections for trafficking victims. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, feature the hotline number in bold and large font, and be available in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act in the business's county. The Department of Labor and Industry will design and provide the sign template online for businesses to print. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires businesses to post trafficking hotline for victim access, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and resource accessibility in trafficking cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 1647: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sexual offenses, providing for the offense of possession, trafficking or importing a child sex doll.

HB 1647 makes it a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania to possess, traffic, or import a "child sex doll" - defined as an anatomically correct doll resembling a child under 12 years old and intended for sexual use. The bill creates specific offenses for possessing such dolls, trafficking them (including manufacturing or selling), and importing them into the state, with possession of two or more dolls creating a legal presumption of trafficking intent. It includes an exception for common carriers (like shipping companies) who lack knowledge of the dolls' contents. This law directly affects individuals involved in handling these dolls, imposing criminal penalties without changing existing statutes on child sexual abuse.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for child sex dolls, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increasing criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 277: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for civil causes of action.

HB 277 allows victims of sex trafficking to sue individuals or entities that recruit, profit from, or advertise for sex trade activities. The bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a civil legal pathway for victims to seek remedies in court, specifically targeting those who recruit victims, maintain them in sex trade acts, or cause bodily harm during such acts. It directly affects victims of sex trafficking and those who exploit them through recruitment, advertising, or financial gain. The law does not change criminal penalties but adds a civil remedy for victims to pursue compensation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables trafficking victims to sue exploiters via civil remedies, strengthening victim protections and accountability in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 1098: An Act amending the act of November 22, 1978 (P.L.1166, No.274), referred to as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law, providing for Investigation and Prosecution of Internet Crimes Against Children Program.

HB 1098 establishes a new program under Pennsylvania's Commission on Crime and Delinquency to combat internet crimes against children. It directs the Commission to provide grants to law enforcement task forces for investigating and prosecuting internet-related crimes against minors under 18, specifically violations of Pennsylvania laws covering sexual offenses, human trafficking, and child exploitation (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 30, 31, 6312, 6318, 6320). The grants will support local police teams, supplement federal child exploitation grants, and fund specialized training for investigators. This program operates alongside existing federal and state funding without replacing it, directly affecting law enforcement agencies working on these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds law enforcement task forces to investigate and prosecute internet crimes against children, strengthening criminal justice efforts in child protection and law enforcement response.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 753: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for victim protection during prosecution.

HB 753 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to better protect human trafficking victims during legal proceedings. It creates an automatic affirmative defense for victims convicted of crimes like prostitution (§ 5902), theft (§ 3922), or drug possession when those crimes resulted directly from trafficking. Victims can also file motions to vacate convictions for these specific offenses by submitting written proof, evidence, and notifying prosecutors. Courts must grant such motions if victims prove by a preponderance of evidence that their conviction stemmed from being trafficked, without requiring prior prosecution of the trafficker. This directly affects individuals previously convicted of trafficking-related offenses who were victims themselves.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates automatic defense for trafficking victims convicted of related crimes, enabling conviction vacatur and protecting victims' rights - directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing wrongful convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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