ENTITLED An Act to revise provisions related to human trafficking, to prohibit the obstruction of human trafficking enforcement, and to provide a penalty therefor.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:
Section 1. That § 22-49-1 be AMENDED:
22-49-1. No person may knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, receive, purchase, advertise, maintain, solicit, or obtain, by any means, another person knowing that force, fraud, or coercion will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act, forced labor, or involuntary servitude.
No person may benefit financially, or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture that has engaged in acts set forth in this section, or knowingly or in reckless disregard of the fact that the venture has engaged in acts set forth in this section.
Any violation of this section constitutes the crime of human trafficking.
If the victim is under eighteen years of age, the crime of human trafficking need not involve force, fraud, or coercion.
For purposes of this section and §§ 22-49-2 and 22-49-3, the term "coercion" may include:
(1) Threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;
(2) The use of a plan, statement, or pattern of behavior, with the intent of causing a person to believe that failure to perform an act will result in serious harm to, or the use of physical force or violence against, the person, or will result in the restraint, isolation, confinement, or abduction of any person;
(3) Inducing a person to engage in a commercial sex act, forced labor, or involuntary servitude as payment toward, or in satisfaction of, a real or purported debt;
(4) The use of a person's physical or mental impairment, if that impairment has a substantial adverse effect on the person's cognitive or volitional function; or
(5) The abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any manner or for any purpose for which the law is not designed, to exert pressure on another person to cause that person to take some action or refrain from taking some action.
Section 2. That § 22-49-2 be AMENDED:
22-49-2. A person is guilty of human trafficking in the first degree if the person commits human trafficking, as set forth in § 22-49-1, and the act:
(1) Involves any means of force, threat of force, fraud, coercion, or any combination of means to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act;
(2) Involves a victim under the age of eighteen years; or
(3) Results in the death of a victim.
Human trafficking in the first degree is a Class 2 felony.
A conviction under this section for a first offense must be punished by a mandatory sentence of at least fifteen years in a state correctional facility, which sentence may not be suspended. A conviction under this section for a second or subsequent offense must be punished by a mandatory sentence of at least twenty years in a state correctional facility, which sentence may not be suspended.
Consent to performing any act prescribed in § 22-49-1 by a minor or a minor's parent, guardian, or custodian, or any mistake as to the minor's age is not a defense to a charge of violating this section.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22-4-1, any attempt to commit a violation of this section against a victim who is a minor is punishable in the same manner as the completed violation.
Section 3. That § 22-49-3 be AMENDED:
22-49-3. A person is guilty of human trafficking in the second degree if the person commits human trafficking, as set forth in § 22-49-1, and the act involves any means of force, threat of force, fraud, coercion, or any combination of means to cause the person to engage in forced labor or involuntary servitude.
Human trafficking in the second degree is a Class 3 felony.
A conviction under this section for a first offense must be punished by a mandatory sentence of at least five years in a state correctional facility, which sentence may not be suspended. A conviction under this section for a second or subsequent offense must be punished by a mandatory sentence of at least ten years in a state correctional facility, which sentence may not be suspended.
Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-49:
Any person who obstructs, attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of §§ 22-49-1 to 22-49-3, inclusive, is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
An Act to revise provisions related to human trafficking, to prohibit the obstruction of human trafficking enforcement, and to provide a penalty therefor.
I certify that the attached Act originated in the:
Secretary of the Senate
President of the Senate
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate
Speaker of the House
Attest:
Chief Clerk
File No. ____ Chapter No. ______
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Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________,
2025 at ____________M.
for the Governor
The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2025
ss. Office of the Secretary of State
Filed ____________, 2025 at _________ o'clock __M.
Secretary of State
Asst. Secretary of State
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