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AB-603 • 2026

Asset forfeiture: human trafficking.

Asset forfeiture: human trafficking.

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Alanis
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's final status and any further executive action are unknown as of the last action date.

Asset Forfeiture: Human Trafficking

This law changes how property and money from human trafficking can be taken by the government, without needing to prove a pattern of criminal activity.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the name of an existing act to include 'Human Trafficking' in its title.
  • Allows the government to take property or money gained through human trafficking without proving multiple incidents of criminal profiteering.
  • Sends money from seized assets related to human trafficking to help victims and support law enforcement efforts.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People involved in human trafficking
  • Victims of human trafficking
  • Law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Forfeiture
When the government takes property or money from someone who has broken the law.
Pattern of criminal profiteering activity
A series of at least two crimes done for profit that follow a specific pattern.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much money will be taken from human trafficking cases.
  • It is unclear if this law will increase the number of successful prosecutions or seizures related to human trafficking.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-03-19 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  5. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  6. 2025-02-13 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 603, as introduced, Alanis.
Asset forfeiture: human trafficking.
The California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act provides the procedure for the forfeiture of property and proceeds acquired through a pattern of criminal profiteering activity. Under the act, “criminal profiteering activity” includes human trafficking, and a “pattern of criminal profiteering activity” means engaging in at least 2 incidents of criminal profiteering that meet specific requirements. Under existing law other the act, an interest in a vehicle, real property, or other thing of value that was put to substantial use for the purpose of facilitating the crime of human trafficking that involves a commercial sex act where the victim was less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime, may be seized and ordered forfeited by the court upon the conviction of a person guilty of human trafficking that involves a commercial sex act where the victim is an
individual under 18 years of age.
This bill would rename the act as the “California Control of Profits of Organized Crime and Human Trafficking Act” and recast its provisions to authorize the forfeiture of property and proceeds acquired through human trafficking without the requirement to establish a pattern of criminal profiteering activity. The bill would reallocate the proceeds of forfeiture related to human trafficking to the Victim-Witness Assistance Fund and the Board of State and Community Corrections, as specified. The bill would specify that the provisions of the act are prohibited from being deemed to modify the provisions for forfeiture applicable to an interest in property that was put to substantial use for the purpose of facilitating the crime of human trafficking that involves a commercial sex act where the victim was less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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