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Vermont Legislation
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Statewide Anti-Trafficking Laws
Subchapter 1: Criminal Acts
Definitions – 13 V.S.A. § 2651
Synopsis: Defines “Blackmail”, “Coercion”, “Commercial sex act”, etc.
Human Trafficking Violations – 13 V.S.A §2652
Synopsis: Explains what counts as a violation and if found in violation, then imprisonment for a term up to and including life or fined not more than $500,000, or both.
Aggravated Human Trafficking – 13 V.S.A § 2653
Synopsis: Aggravated human trafficking if it involves a minor, previous conviction in violation of section 2562, the victim suffers serious bodily injury or death, or commits human trafficking under crime of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Patronizing or Facilitating Human Trafficking – 13 V.S.A § 2654
Synopsis: A person who owns or controls a place and it is used for human trafficking, or receives a person into a place for the purpose of the crime, or permits a person to remain in a place for the purpose of the crime, can be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000 or both.
Solicitation – 13 V.S.A § 2655
Synopsis: If a person knowingly solicits a commercial sex act from a victim of human trafficking, they shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $100,000.
Human Trafficking by Business Entity: Dissolution – 13 V.S.A § 2656
Synopsis: If any business is found to be guilty of human trafficking, the Attorney General may begin a proceeding in the Civil Division of the Superior Court to dissolve the entity.
Restitution – 13 V.S.A § 2657
Synopsis: A person who has been convicted will be ordered to pay restitution to the victim. If the victim dies before restitution is paid, then the restitution will be paid to the victim’s heir or legal representative.
Motion to Vacate Prostitution Convictions for Sex Trafficking Victims – 13 V.S.A. § 2658
Synopsis: Introduces Section RE. Motion To Vacate By Victim Of Human Trafficking.
Subchapter 2: Resource Guide Posting
Resource Guide Posting – 13 V.S.A § 2661
Synopsis: Notice offering aid to victims accessible on the official Vermont Department of Labor website. The notice will provide contact information to at least one local law enforcement agency and should be made available in English as well as Spanish, or another language if requested by an employer.
Private Cause of Action – 13 V.S.A § 2662
Synopsis: A victim may bring an action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court for damages, injunctive relief, punitive damages in the case of a willful violation, and reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
Classification of Victims; Immigration Assistance – 13 V.S.A § 2663
Synopsis: After the initial encounter with victim by agency or office, the office or agency will notify the Victim’s Compensation Program at the Center for Crime Victim Services. Then a preliminary assessment will be made as to whether the victim meets the criteria for certification of a severe form of trafficking in persons as defined in 22 U.S.C § 7105 (Trafficking Victims Protection Act). After this preliminary assessment, upon the request of the victim, the agency or office will provide the victim with a completed and executed U.S citizenship and immigration service (USCIS) form I-914 supplement B or a USCIS for I-918, supplement B, U nonimmigrant status certification, or both.