Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SF 5179: Coercion of a pregnant minor female into seeking or obtaining an abortion prohibition, human trafficking of minors screening and reporting provision, certain information displayed requirement provision, and wrongful death resulting from an abortion additional action provision

This bill makes it a felony to force or coerce a pregnant girl under 18 into seeking or obtaining an abortion, defining coercion as a broad range of actions including threats, financial pressure, or exploiting vulnerabilities. It also requires hospitals and clinics to screen patients for signs of human trafficking involving minors and mandates that certain information be displayed at abortion facilities. Additionally, the law creates a new legal cause of action for wrongful death resulting from an abortion and directs the state health commissioner to create rules implementing these measures. The legislation directly affects healthcare providers, law enforcement, and families by establishing stricter penalties and reporting requirements related to minors and reproductive health.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes coercion of pregnant minors and mandates trafficking screenings, directly strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 23, 2026

HF 5064: Coercing a pregnant minor female into seeking or obtaining an abortion prohibited, suspected cases of human trafficking of minors screened and reported, certain information required to be displayed, action for wrongful death resulting from abortion added, and rulemaking required.

This bill makes it a felony to force or coerce a pregnant minor under 18 into seeking or obtaining an abortion, defining coercion broadly to include threats, isolation, financial pressure, and exploiting vulnerabilities. It requires hospitals and other facilities to screen and report suspected cases of human trafficking involving minors. Additionally, the law adds wrongful death as a cause of action for deaths resulting from abortions and mandates the creation of specific rules by the state health commissioner.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by making coercion of minors into abortion a felony and requiring trafficking screenings, thereby enhancing law enforcement accountability and victim protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SF 5064: Office of Justice Programs appropriation to support trafficking victims

This bill appropriates $250,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support victims of human trafficking in Minnesota. The money will be given to the Office of Justice Programs, which must award a grant to the International Institute of Minnesota to provide essential services such as housing, medical care, food, and employment assistance to up to 25 identified survivors. The grantee is required to partner with local law enforcement, shelters, healthcare providers, and other community organizations to help victims become safe and economically self-sufficient. Additionally, the bill mandates that the organization collect data on all clients to measure the impact of the funding and ensure accountability. This is a one-time appropriation designed to aid survivors in the seven-county metropolitan area.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund to fund essential services for trafficking victims, directly strengthening fiscal support for public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds essential services for trafficking victims, partnering with law enforcement to strengthen victim support within the justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $250,000 to provide essential medical care and services to trafficking victims, directly funding healthcare access.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing services for trafficking victims, directly supporting housing needs.80% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill funds essential services for trafficking victims, a group often including immigrants, indicating support for immigrant services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3871: Venue in child sexual abuse material law provided; on-scene preview of digital evidence in child sexual abuse material investigations provided; possession, sale, creation, dissemination, and purchase of child-like sex dolls prohibited; and defense of duress modified to include victims of trafficking.

This bill makes several changes to Minnesota's laws regarding child sexual abuse material and trafficking. It expands where prosecutors can file cases involving child sexual abuse material to include the county where the accused or victim lives, as well as locations where the material was found or stored. The bill also allows law enforcement to quickly examine digital devices at the scene of an investigation to identify child sexual abuse material without needing a separate warrant, provided the original warrant covers this type of evidence. Additionally, it prohibits the possession, sale, creation, or purchase of child-like sex dolls and updates the legal defense of duress to include victims of trafficking. These measures aim to improve investigation efficiency and expand protections for victims while maintaining constitutional safeguards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens child protection laws by expanding prosecution venues, enabling faster evidence examination, and prohibiting child-like sex dolls, all enhancing criminal justice response to abuse.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and digital evidence handling for child safety investigations, expanding law enforcement access to digital devices to combat CSAM.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 3963: Trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention services for youth funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill allocates $125,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to support youth trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention services in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The funding will be given to the Office of Justice Programs to grant money to Citizens Against Sex Trafficking for their Power Over Predators program. The program must expand its services to include youth, parents, and community members by collaborating with youth groups, recovery support groups, domestic violence support groups, and the Ramsey County correctional facility. These efforts aim to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed support, awareness, and education to prevent youth trafficking, sexual violence, and exploitation. The appropriation is designated as a one-time funding allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $125,000 from state general fund to fund youth trafficking prevention services, directly advancing public safety and essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funding to prevent youth trafficking and sexual exploitation, strengthening victim services and public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 4292: Child sexual abuse provisions

This bill expands legal options for prosecuting child sexual abuse material cases by allowing prosecutors to choose from multiple counties for venue, including where the accused or victim lives or where the material was found. It also permits law enforcement to conduct immediate on-scene previews of digital devices to identify child sexual abuse material without needing a separate warrant, speeding up investigations while preserving data integrity. Additionally, the law prohibits the possession, sale, creation, and distribution of child-like sex dolls and strengthens legal protections for trafficking victims by modifying the defense of duress. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals involved in child sexual abuse material investigations and related activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement capabilities for child sexual abuse cases by expanding venue options and enabling warrantless device previews, directly advancing criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by enabling faster investigation of child sexual abuse material through immediate device previews, strengthening digital safety measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 5, 2026

HF 3925: Office of Justice Programs funding provided to support trafficking victims, and money appropriated.

This bill appropriates $250,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support victims of human trafficking in Minnesota. The money will be given to the International Institute of Minnesota to provide services such as housing, medical care, food, and employment assistance to up to 25 trafficking survivors. The organization must work with local law enforcement, shelters, healthcare providers, and other community partners to identify victims in the seven-county metropolitan area and help them become safe and economically self-sufficient. The bill also requires the institute to collect data on all clients to measure the impact of the funding and ensure accountability. This is a one-time appropriation that does not create ongoing funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 from state general fund to fund trafficking victim services, directly supporting budget allocation for public safety programs95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds victim services for trafficking survivors, supporting criminal justice reform through victim assistance and community collaboration85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $250,000 for medical care services to trafficking victims, directly funding healthcare access for survivors.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides $250,000 funding for housing services to trafficking victims, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides funding to support trafficking victims, many of whom are immigrants, through services like housing, medical care, and employment assistance via the International Institute of Minnesota.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SF 4270: Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act expand list of persons ineligible

This bill expands the list of people who cannot earn early release credits in Minnesota prisons by adding specific sex trafficking and sexual assault crimes to the existing categories of ineligible offenses. It directly affects incarcerated individuals by removing their ability to gain time off for good behavior if they are convicted of certain serious crimes, including labor trafficking, prostitution, and various degrees of criminal sexual conduct. The law takes effect immediately upon final passage and applies to both the calculation of earned incentive release credits and the general eligibility for early release programs. Prisoners serving life sentences or those with older indeterminate sentences remain ineligible under current rules, while this amendment specifically targets new categories of sexual and trafficking-related offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts early release credits for incarcerated individuals convicted of sex trafficking and sexual assault, limiting rehabilitation opportunities and reducing potential for reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 3938: Trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention services for youth appropriation

SF 3938 appropriates $125,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to the Office of Justice Programs, which will issue a grant to Citizens Against Sex Trafficking. The funds will expand the Power Over Predators prevention program to provide youth trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention services to youth, parents, and communities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. This one-time appropriation supports trauma-informed education, awareness, and victim-centered support through partnerships with youth groups, recovery centers, domestic violence organizations, and Ramsey County correctional facilities. The bill directly affects youth and families in the Twin Cities region by funding targeted prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $125,000 from general fund for youth trafficking prevention services, increasing public safety program funding through targeted appropriation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds trauma-informed youth trafficking prevention services via Office of Justice Programs, aligning with victim-centered support and public safety goals under criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SF 2305: Human trafficking offenses criminal penalties increase; employment of unauthorized individuals prohibition; sanctuary cities prohibition

This bill increases penalties for human trafficking offenses and prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals without legal U.S. work authorization. It makes using a fake ID to verify employment status a felony (up to 2 years in prison or $5,000 fine) and requires employers to terminate unauthorized employees. Employers violating these rules face fines up to $10,000 per violation and potential license suspensions for 14 days. State agencies must also report annual spending on assistance to people without legal status by December 15 each year. The bill directly affects employers, individuals seeking work verification, and state agencies providing services to non-citizens.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for human trafficking (expands criminalization), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits sanctuary cities, imposes strict employer penalties for hiring unauthorized workers, and mandates termination of undocumented employees95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sanctuary Policies Work Authorization

Track