HB284 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Merika ColemanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Human trafficking, definitions amended to include additional offenses, Sec. 13A-6-151 am'd.
Summary: HB284 broadens Alabama’s human trafficking definitions by amending 13A-6-151 to include more coercion, deception, and exploitation definitions, expanding what can be considered trafficking.
What This Bill Does
It updates the terms used in Alabama’s human trafficking law, adding more examples of coercion, deception, labor servitude, and sexual exploitation. It also expands what counts as sexual conduct and who qualifies as a trafficking victim, including minors and those subjected to involuntary servitude. The bill notes a funding impact but clarifies it is exempt from local funding requirements because it creates or amends a crime; it would take effect January 1, 2023.

Who It Affects
Potential trafficking victims (including minors) who would be protected under broader definitions and may be identified in prosecutions.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts who would apply the expanded definitions to charge and prosecute human trafficking cases.

Key Provisions
Defines and broadens key terms related to trafficking (COERCION, DECEPTION, LABOR SERVITUDE, MENTAL SUFFERING, MINOR, PHYSICAL INJURY, SEXUAL CONDUCT, SEXUAL SERVITUDE, TRAFFICKING VICTIM).
COERCION now includes threats or actions causing physical or mental harm, confinement, loss of documents, exposure to criminal or immigration trouble, blackmail or use of legal processes to pressure someone.
DECEPTION includes false impressions, controlling debt, promising benefits not delivered, or schemes to pressure someone to work under fear.
LABOR SERVITUDE defines work or service obtained through coercion or deception, with economic value involved.
MENTAL SUFFERING defines a high level of mental pain or emotional distress caused by trafficking.
MINOR is defined as anyone under 19.
PHYSICAL INJURY defines injury or substantial pain as a factor in trafficking cases.
SEXUAL CONDUCT covers intercourse, sodomy, sexual contact, sexual torture, sexually explicit performances, and commercial sex acts.
SEXUAL SERVITUDE sets rules for coercive or deceptive sexual acts for value, with limited exceptions for minors or incapacitated persons where coercion isn’t required.
TRAFFICKING VICTIM includes anyone subjected to labor servitude, sexual servitude, or involuntary servitude.
Effective date is January 1, 2023; bill is treated as creating or amending crimes and is exempt from local funding requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Human Trafficking