House approves levying criminal penalties for human trafficking

The House has given final approval to a bill that creates state criminal penalties for human trafficking and human smuggling.

Both crimes are already against federal law. As passed by the Legislature, HB339 creates a state third-degree felony for human smuggling and second-degree felony for human trafficking for forced labor or sexual exploitation. And both crimes would be aggravated to a first-degree felony if they involved death of a smuggled or trafficked person or if they involved sex crimes or victims held against their will for more than 180 days.

The bill now moves to the governor's office for final approval.