HB481 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Merika ColemanKurt WallaceLaura HallElaine Beech

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Human Trafficking Safe Harbor Act, crimes of prostitution, sexually exploited children, conviction or delinquency adjudication of prostitution prohibited under certain conditions, retention of jurisdiction by juvenile court, additional fines, counseling required, detention of foreign nationals under certain conditions, Sec. 13A-12-123 added

Summary

HB481 creates a safe harbor for sexually exploited children involved in prostitution, keeping them under juvenile court protection with required supports and limiting criminal charges against them.

What This Bill Does

If passed, sexually exploited children under 18 cannot be adjudicated delinquent or convicted of prostitution; they may instead be considered a child in need of supervision or a dependent child. The bill keeps these cases in juvenile court, prevents transfer to adult court, and requires access to social and community services. It also adds a $500 mandatory fine for certain prostitution-related crimes, funds counseling services, allows 72-hour detention for non-English speaking foreign nationals arrested for prostitution to connect them with resources, and requires the juvenile court to act in the child’s best interests with appropriate protections.

Who It Affects

• Sexually exploited children (under 18) involved in prostitution: receive safe harbor treatment, keeping them out of delinquency prosecutions and under juvenile court supervision with access to protective services.
• People convicted of promoting prostitution and related crimes: face a mandatory $500 fine directed to a court-certified counseling provider and may be required to attend counseling or education programs at their own expense.
• Foreign nationals arrested for prostitution who do not speak English: may be detained up to 72 hours to ensure access to health care, shelter, counseling, and other resources.
• Juvenile courts and local governments: maintain jurisdiction over affected children and must provide or facilitate required services; the bill includes local-funding considerations and constitutional provisions related to expenditures.

Key Provisions

• Defines sexually exploited child as a person under 18 under Juvenile Court jurisdiction who has experienced sexual exploitation through human trafficking, prostitution, or promoting prostitution.
• Prohibits adjudicating a sexually exploited child delinquent or convicting them of prostitution; allows adjudication as a child in need of supervision or a dependent child; prohibits transfer to adult court for these cases.
• Requires juvenile court to retain jurisdiction and to issue orders or hearings to protect health and safety, including emergency protective orders, with broad social-service support available to the child.
• Imposes a mandatory $500 fine on certain prostitution-related offenses, payable to a court-certified therapeutic counseling provider; may require offenders to attend counseling or educational programs at their own expense.
• Allows up to 72-hour detention for non-English speaking foreign nationals arrested for prostitution to ensure access to resources; court must determine access to services and may issue supportive orders.
• Notes that the bill would require new or increased local expenditures but is exempt from certain amendments and voting requirements due to specified exceptions.

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

Subjects

Human Trafficking