HB133 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kurt Wallace

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Human trafficking, Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking, adoption, Secs. 13A-6-150 to 13A-6-160, inclusive, 13A-6-170 repealed

Summary

HB133 would replace Alabama's current human trafficking laws with the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking, creating new crimes, remedies, and prevention efforts.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals existing trafficking laws and adopts a uniform act creating offenses for trafficking an individual, forced labor, sexual servitude, and patronizing victims or minors. It imposes liability on business entities, requires restitution to victims, authorizes asset forfeiture, and sets a 20-year window to prosecute offenses. It also adds civil remedies for victims, creates a state Council on Human Trafficking, requires public awareness signs, and provides victim services and potential immigration visa options.

Who It Affects

• Victims of human trafficking (including minors) and potential victims, who would receive restitution, access to victim services and compensation, possible immigration relief, and civil remedies.
• Businesses and employers (and government contractors) who could be prosecuted for trafficking-related offenses and face penalties, fines, disgorgement, debarment from contracts, and mandatory display of public awareness signs.

Key Provisions

• Repeals Articles 8 and 8A of Chapter 6, Title 13A and adopts the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking.
• Establishes offenses: trafficking an individual; forced labor; sexual servitude; patronizing a victim of sexual servitude; patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity, with specific felony classifications (adult minor distinctions described).
• Business entities may be prosecuted for offenses under Sections 3–7; penalties include fines up to $1,000,000 per offense, disgorgement, and debarment from state/local contracts.
• Restitution required for victims; court-ordered restitution covers expenses and labor/sexual-activity value; restitution rules may allocate funds to the victim or to the Council if unclaimed after five years.
• Forfeiture of real and personal property used in offenses or proceeds; proceeds from forfeiture go to the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
• Prosecution must commence within 20 years of the offense; evidence limitations on a victim’s past sexual conduct; victims may pursue civil actions for damages.
• Creates the Council on Human Trafficking to coordinate services, collect data, and promote awareness; DOT and certain employers must display public-awareness signs; Labor Department may fine noncompliant employers ($300 per violation).
• Victims may receive benefits through the state’s crime victims compensation fund regardless of immigration status; some provisions regarding immigration visas and non-immigrant relief.
• The act is to be construed in harmony with existing state law and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.
• Amendment 621-related local expenditure provisions acknowledge a local-funds impact but provide exceptions that allow the act to become law without local approvals.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses