HOUSE AUTHOR: Wise et al. |
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EFFECTIVE: Vetoed |
SENATE SPONSOR: Van de Putte |
House Bill 59 amends the Penal Code to increase the penalty for the offense of kidnapping from a third degree to a second degree felony if the actor exposes the abducted person to a risk of serious bodily injury. The bill provides that a person commits the offense of aggravated kidnapping if the person holds an abducted person to coerce a third person to perform some act, holds the abducted person in a condition of involuntary servitude, or intentionally or knowingly abducts another person who is younger than 18 years of age or is incompetent.
The bill makes it an offense, with progressive penalties, for a person to knowingly traffic another person with the intent to engage the trafficked person in forced labor or services or conduct that constitutes a public indecency offense. The bill includes trafficking of persons under the offense of engaging in organized criminal activity.
Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill No. 59 must be vetoed to avoid confusion for law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. House Bill No. 2096, which I signed, creates a new chapter in the Penal Code regarding trafficking of persons. Therefore, the similar but not identical provisions in House Bill No. 59 are unnecessary.