Plain English Breakdown
Checked against official source text during the last sync.
Expanding Asset Forfeiture Rules for Human Trafficking
This law expands existing rules to allow the government to seize property used in human trafficking cases involving commercial sex acts, regardless of whether the victim is under or over 18 years old.
What This Bill Does
- Applies asset forfeiture rules to all human trafficking offenses involving a commercial sex act, removing the previous limit that only covered victims under 18 years of age.
- Allows courts to seize vehicles, boats, airplanes, money, negotiable instruments, securities, real property, or other things used to facilitate these crimes.
- Includes in forfeiture any property acquired through, or received in exchange for proceeds from, the crime.
- Keeps existing rules allowing a person with a lien or mortgage on seized property to pay off the owner's equity if they knew the property was being used for the crime.
- Maintains the procedure where prosecutors can ask a court to appoint someone to manage seized property.
Who It Names or Affects
- People accused of human trafficking involving commercial sex acts
- Victims of these crimes, regardless of their age
- Prosecutors who file for asset forfeiture
- Owners or lenders with financial interests in the seized property
Terms To Know
- Asset forfeiture
- The government taking ownership of money, vehicles, or other items used to commit a crime.
- Commercial sex act
- A sexual activity where something of value is given in exchange for the service.
- Receiver
- A person appointed by a court to take control and manage property during legal proceedings.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text does not state when this law will officially start.
- The bill makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to existing provisions while expanding who those rules cover.