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SB 45

An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), 44 (Law and Justice), 61 (Prisons and Parole) and 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for definitions, providing for the offense of promoting prostitution, for the offense of living off of prostituted persons and for the offense of patronizing prostitution and further providing for grants; in public indecency, further providing for prostitution and related offenses; establishing the Prevention of Human Trafficking Restricted Account; in child protective services, further providing for definitions; in sentencing, further providing for sexual offenses and tier system; in DNA data and testing, further providing for definitions; in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states; and, in powers and duties relating to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, further providing for consideration of criminal convictions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michele Brooks and 10 co-sponsors

The bill strengthens penalties and definitions for human trafficking and related prostitution offenses and creates a dedicated Prevention of Human Trafficking Account to fund preve

Re-referred to Appropriations
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 45

Summary of SB 45 (Session 2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

SB 45 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to strengthen and expand laws related to human trafficking, prostitution, and related offenses. The bill also establishes a dedicated funding mechanism—the Prevention of Human Trafficking Account. The overarching aim appears to be tightening penalties for trafficking-related crimes, broadening definitions to close gaps, and enhancing prevention and support through targeted grants.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Human trafficking provisions (definitions and offenses)

    • Revisions to definitions related to human trafficking.
    • Establishes or expands criminal offenses related to human trafficking to address more conduct and/or contexts.

  2. Offense of promoting prostitution

    • Creates or broadens the crime of promoting prostitution, imposing penalties on individuals who facilitate prostitution activities.

  3. Offense of living off of prostituted persons

    • Establishes or expands criminal liability for persons who financially benefit from the prostitution of another person.

  4. Offense of patronizing prostitution

    • Creates or strengthens penalties for individuals who purchase sexual services.

  5. Grants

    • Adds or updates provisions related to grants, likely to support anti-trafficking efforts, victim services, or programmatic initiatives tied to the Act.

  6. Public indecency and prostitution-related offenses

    • Expands or refines offenses within the public indecency and prostitution framework, potentially aligning with new definitions and penalties.

  7. Prevention of Human Trafficking Account

    • Establishes a dedicated funding account intended to support prevention, prosecution, and victim services related to human trafficking.

Who is affected

  • Potentially affected individuals: Suspects and defendants in trafficking-related cases, including those charged with promoting prostitution, living off of prostituted persons, or patronizing prostitution.
  • Potential victims and survivors: Enhanced support through grants and prevention programs.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors: New definitions and offenses may require changes to training, charging decisions, and case handling.
  • Service providers and non-profits: Access to new or expanded grant opportunities for victim services, prevention, and coordination.
  • Public and community: Indirectly through strengthened protections and preventive funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to the Judiciary committee on March 18, 2026.
  • Sponsors: Bipartisan slate including Pat Stefano, Maria Collett, Cris Dush, Scott Hutchinson, Marty Flynn, Elder Vogel, Judy Ward, Kristin Phillips-Hill, Doug Mastriano, and Tracy Pennycuick.
  • Next steps: If advanced by the Judiciary Committee, the bill would proceed to the full chamber for debate, potential amendments, and votes. Passage by both chambers would typically lead to gubernatorial action (signing into law, veto, or becoming law without signature depending on Pennsylvania’s process).

Potential impact (high-level)

  • Strengthened legal framework for human trafficking, with clearer or broader criminalization of trafficking-related conduct.
  • Provisions targeting customers (patronizing prostitution) and facilitators (promoting prostitution, living off of prostituted persons) that may deter exploitation and reduce demand.
  • Creation of a dedicated funding stream (Prevention of Human Trafficking Account) to support prevention, victim services, law enforcement, and related programs.
  • Possible expansion of penalties and enforcement tools for offenses linked to prostitution, with implications for judiciary caseloads and victim-centered approaches.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s described scope and action history. For precise statutory language, definitions, penalties, and grant program details, consult the official bill text and any amendments enacted during committee or floor deliberations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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