Act No. 55 (H.153). Crimes and criminal procedures

This act establishes a comprehensive system of criminal penalties and prevention programs for human trafficking, and a program of services for human trafficking victims. It enacts four new substantive human trafficking-related crimes in Vermont law: human trafficking for commercial sex or forced labor; aggravated human trafficking with an enhanced penalty; facilitating or promoting human trafficking; and solicitation. The act's comprehensive approach to human trafficking prosecutions requires assistance to human trafficking victims and a public education program about the crime. The act also amends a number of crime victim restitution procedures, including prohibiting the disclosure of a crime victim's name in response to a public records request and establishing a pilot project to allow a crime victim to submit, and the restitution unit to verify, a request for restitution prior to sentencing.

Effective Date: July 1, 2011