ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HCR2042: sex trafficking; minors; natural life

Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1

Committee on Judiciary

Overview

Directs the Secretary of State to submit a proposition to the voters that would amend the Arizona Constitution to require natural life imprisonment for an adult who is convicted of sex trafficking of a minor child.

History

Under the current criminal code, child sex trafficking is a criminal offense generally relating to child prostitution that can be committed in a number of different ways. Almost all forms of this offense are classified as class 2 felonies, and many of them may include special sentencing ranges or sentence enhancements depending on the type of offense or age of the victim. The only form of child sex trafficking that is not a class 2 felony involves a defendant who is at least 18 years old engaging in prostitution with a minor between 15 and 17 years old whom the defendant did not know or have reason to know was a minor (A.R.S. § 13-3212).

Provisions

1. Adds a new provision to the Arizona Constitution that requires an adult who is convicted of sex trafficking of a minor child to be sentenced to natural life imprisonment without eligibility of any form of release.

2. For purposes of this new provision, defines sex trafficking of a minor child as knowingly paying for sex with a minor, receiving payment for placing a minor in another person's custody with intent to cause the minor to engage in sex with another person or providing or obtaining a minor with intent to cause the minor to engage in sex with another person.

3. Authorizes the Legislature to implement this new provision as appropriate.

4. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.

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8.                   HCR 2042

9. Initials JL Page 0 Judiciary

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