Pennsylvania SB 44: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions, for the offense of trafficking in individuals and for the offense of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude; in minors, further providing for unlawful contact with minor; and, in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for definitions and for persons eligible to apply.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1076
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 44
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DUSH, PENNYCUICK, PHILLIPS-HILL AND ROTHMAN,
JULY 23, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JULY 23, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking,
further providing for definitions and providing for victim
determination statement and for State Human Trafficking
Resource Coordinator; and, in licensing of drivers, providing
for restoration of operating privilege for victims of human
trafficking.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3001 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 3001. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Authorized entity." An entity granted the authority by the
commission or the coordinator to determine if an individual is a
victim of human trafficking and issue victim determination
statements on behalf of victims under section 3027 (relating to
victim determination statement). The term includes, but is not
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limited to, the following:
(1) An attorney employed by a nonprofit legal aid
association or society or a county bar organization that
provides legal aid for victims of human trafficking in civil
matters.
(2) A nongovernmental organization or member of a human
trafficking task force, including victim service providers
affiliated with the organization or task force.
(3) A nonprofit organization which principally serves
victims of human trafficking.
* * *
"Coordinator." The entity contracted by the commission to
act as the State Human Trafficking Resources Coordinator under
section 3032 (relating to State Human Trafficking Resource
Coordinator).
* * *
"Governmental entity." Any branch, subdivision or agency of:
(1) The Federal Government.
(2) The Commonwealth.
(3) A political subdivision.
(4) A municipal or local authority.
* * *
"Victim determination statement." A statement issued under
section 3027.
* * *
Section 2. Title 18 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 3027. Victim determination statement.
(a) Authorization.--A court of competent jurisdiction,
governmental entity or an authorized entity may issue a victim
determination statement to an individual on a form developed by
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the commission or coordinator that makes a determination that
the individual is a victim of human trafficking. If a victim
determination statement is issued to a victim of human
trafficking, the completed form shall be filed with the Office
of Victim Advocate.
(b) Contents.--A victim determination statement issued under
subsection (a) shall contain the following:
(1) The period during which the individual was a victim
of human trafficking or, if the individual is currently a
victim of human trafficking, the approximate date the
individual became a victim of human trafficking.
(2) Any offense committed or citation issued that is a
result of the individual's status as a victim of human
trafficking.
Section 3. Section 3032 of Title 18 is amended to read:
§ 3032. [(Reserved).] State Human Trafficking Resource
Coordinator.
Subject to the availability of funds, the commission shall
award a grant to a nonprofit organization to serve as the State
Human Trafficking Resource Coordinator. The purpose of the
coordinator shall be to:
(1) Assist this Commonwealth in meeting the goals of the
grant program established under section 3031 (relating to
grants).
(2) Provide aid and coordinate resources across this
Commonwealth.
(3) Assist in the identification of victims, as provided
for under section 3027 (relating to victim determination
statement).
Section 4. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
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§ 1559. Restoration of operating privilege for victims of human
trafficking.
(a) Petition.--An individual who has been issued a victim
determination statement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3027 (relating to
v ictim determination statement) or an entity acting on behalf of
an individual who has been issued a victim determination
statement, may file a petition, on a form prescribed by the
department to the department, for relief from a suspension or
revocation that the petitioner alleges was received as a direct
result of being a victim of human trafficking. The petition
shall include:
(1) The victim determination statement.
(2) The offense allegedly committed or citation issued
to the petitioner as a direct result of being a victim of
human trafficking.
(b) Determination.--
(1) If the victim determination statement demonstrates
that the individu