The Advocates for Human Rights spent the better part of October through May working with the Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force to draft a bill to strengthen Minnesota's sex trafficking law.
The Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed the bill and the governor signed the bill into law on May 21, 2009.
Summary of Floor Votes
On May 8, the House of Representatives passed H.F. 1505 by a vote of 131 in favor to 0 against the bill -- watch this program (Scroll down to May 8, House floor session – part 2 and to the time of 25:20)
On May 13, the Senate passed Senate File 1514 -- Watch the vote Windows Media format (Go to the time of 25:15). The bill now awaits the governor's action. Once the governor has the bill, he or she may: sign it, and the bill becomes law; veto it within three days; or allow it to become law by not signing it. During session, the House and Senate can override a governor's veto.
On May 15, Senate File 1514 received a third reading and passed by a vote of 67-0.
On May 17, House File 1505 received a third reading and was repassed as amended by a vote of 134-0.
On May 21, the governor signed House File 1505/Senate File 1514, the criminal provision, into law. The law will take effect on August 1, 2009 and will apply to crimes committed on or after that date.
Summary of Bill Introductions
On Monday, March 2 the “Bill for an Act to Combat Trafficking in Minnesota” was introduced by Senator Sandy Pappas. The Bill numbers are S.F. 1050 – the trafficking omnibus bill, S.F. 1048 – the criminal, training, and victim provisions, and S.F. 1101 – the MFIP provisions. S.F. 1514 – the criminal provisions – was introduced on Monday, March 16.
On Monday, March 9, three of four articles were introduced in the House. H.F. 1505 – the criminal provisions – was introduced by Representative Michael Paymar. H.F. 1461 – the training and public awareness provisions – was introduced by Representative John Lesch. H.F. 1475 – the MFIP provisions were introduced by Representative Jeff Hayden. H.F. 1636 – the victim assistance provisions – was introduced on Thursday, March 12 by Representative Karen Clark. H.F. 1768 – the trafficking omnibus bill was introduced on Monday, March 16.
S.F. 1050 and H.F. 1768 are designated as companion bills. S.F. 1514 and H.F. 1505 are designated as companion bills. S.F. 1101 and H.F. 1475 are designated as companion bills.
Summary of Committee Hearings
On March 4, SF 1101 received a hearing in the Health, Housing, and Family Security Policy Committee in the Senate where it was referred to the finance committee for a fiscal note.
On March 20, House Files 1505, 1461, 1636 and 1768 received hearings in the Crime Victims Subcommittee. All of the bills were recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee.
On March 24, House Files 1505, 1461, 1636 and 1768 received hearings in the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee. House Files 1768 and 1505 were recommended to pass as amended and be re-referred to the Finance Committee. House files 1461 and 1636 were recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Finance Committee.
On April 3, 2009 S.F. 1514 – the criminal provisions -- received a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill passed and was re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
On April 16, H.F. 1505 received a hearing in the House Public Safety Finance Committee. The bill passed and was re-referred to the House Finance Committee.
On April 22, Senate Public Safety Budget Division passed Senate File 1514. SF 1514 was also re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee and will be heard in that committee in the near future.
On April 30, the House Finance Committee heard H.F. 1505 in room 200 of the State Office Building. The bill passed and has been referred to the House floor.
On May 5, the Senate Finance Committee heard Senate File 1514. The bill passed and has been referred to the Senate floor.
Sex Trafficking Policy Toolkit
A policy toolkit and additional resources are available on our website with resources for talking with legislators and others about the package of bills.