HB433 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
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: HB433 creates a safe harbor for sexually exploited children involved in prostitution, keeping them in the juvenile system with access to services, and adds related rules on fines, detention, and escort business registration.
What This Bill Does
Defines sexually exploited child and prohibits delinquency adjudication or prostitution convictions for these children; they may be adjudicated as a child in need of supervision or a dependent child instead. Keeps such cases in juvenile court, allowing orders and hearings to protect the child's health and safety, and requires social and community services to be available. Imposes a mandatory $500 fine for certain prostitution offenses, with funds going to a court-certified therapeutic counseling provider, and allows or requires counseling or education programs for offenders; adds higher fines for additional offenses. Allows a 72-hour detention of non-English-speaking foreign nationals arrested for prostitution to ensure access to resources, requires escort businesses to register with the Secretary of State, and expands related civil forfeiture and local-expenditure considerations; sets effective date after governor's approval.

Who It Affects
Sexually exploited children under 18 who are involved in prostitution—protected from delinquency adjudication or prostitution convictions and eligible for services within the juvenile system.
Adults convicted of prostitution-related offenses, escort businesses, and non-English-speaking foreign nationals arrested for prostitution—subject to new fines, counseling/education requirements, registration rules, and potential detention to ensure access to resources.

Key Provisions
Defines 'sexually exploited child' and establishes safe harbor: such a child may not be adjudicated delinquent or convicted of prostitution; may be adjudicated as a child in need of supervision or dependent.
Juvenile court retains jurisdiction over sexually exploited children and can issue protective orders and hearings to protect health/safety; protects against transfer to adult court for prostitution acts.
Requires social and community services for sexually exploited children (e.g., counseling, shelter, health services, education, legal services).
Imposes a mandatory $500 fine on certain prostitution offenses, paid to a court-certified therapeutic counseling entity; fines increase by 50% for each subsequent conviction through a fourth.
Authorizes counseling/education programs for offenders; may require costs to convicted individuals.
Allows up to 72-hour detention of a foreign national arrested for prostitution who does not speak English to ensure access to resources; restricts public release of arrest photos absent court order.
Domestic or interstate escort businesses must register with the Secretary of State within 30 days; violations carry Class D misdemeanor or Class D felony for subsequent violations.
Amends civil forfeiture provisions to cover property or proceeds linked to prostitution offenses.
Notes the act is exempt from certain local-funding approval requirements and specifies its effective date.

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