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AB-633 • 2026

Human trafficking: vacatur relief for victims.

Human trafficking: vacatur relief for victims.

Children Crime Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Krell
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 effective date of the bill is currently unknown as it has not been specified.

Helping Victims of Human Trafficking Get Relief

AB-633 allows minors under the age of 18 who were victims of human trafficking to petition for vacatur relief if they committed a crime while being trafficked.

What This Bill Does

  • Expands relief for minors (under 18) who were arrested or convicted when they were victims of human trafficking, allowing them to petition the court to clear their record.
  • Requires courts to find that these young people lacked intent to commit crimes if it can be proven that being trafficked led directly to the crime.
  • Orders law enforcement agencies to seal and destroy records related to offenses committed by minors who were victims of human trafficking.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Minors (under 18) who were arrested or convicted while being victims of human trafficking
  • Courts and law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Vacatur relief
A court order that clears a person's criminal record if they meet certain conditions.
Penalty of perjury
The legal requirement to tell the truth when making a sworn statement, with serious consequences for lying.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how courts will handle cases where it is unclear if being trafficked led directly to committing a crime.
  • Requires more petitions under penalty of perjury, which could lead to additional legal processes.

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. 2025-03-26 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 633, as introduced, Krell.
Human trafficking: vacatur relief for victims.
Existing law allows a person who was arrested or convicted of a nonviolent offense while they were a victim of human trafficking to petition the court, under penalty of perjury, for vacatur relief. To receive that relief, existing law requires that the person establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the arrest or conviction was the direct result of being a victim of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, or sexual violence, which demonstrates that the person lacked the requisite intent to commit the offense. Existing law requires the court, under those circumstances, to find that the person lacked the requisite intent to commit the offense and to vacate the conviction as invalid due to legal defect at the time of the arrest or conviction. Existing law requires a court that issues an order for relief pursuant to these provisions to also order any law enforcement agency
having jurisdiction over the offense to seal and destroy their records of the offense.
This bill would expand that relief to also be available for persons who were convicted of or arrested for any offense committed when they were under the age of 18 and while they were a victim of human trafficking. Because this bill would authorize more petitions to be filed under penalty of perjury, by expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF