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HB 94

Crimes & offenses, provides that advertising access to sexual or labor servitude is a Class B felony

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Juandalynn Givan

Alabama criminalizes advertising sexual or labor servitude as a Class B felony to disrupt human trafficking operations through marketing channels.

Enacted
#crimes&offenses
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Bill Summary · HB 94

Legislative bill overview

HB 94 makes it a Class B felony in Alabama to advertise access to sexual servitude or labor servitude. The bill, introduced by Representative Juandalynn Givan, was enacted in May 2025 and targets individuals who promote or market trafficking services through advertising.

Why is this important

This law addresses online and public advertising channels used by human traffickers to recruit victims and customers, creating criminal liability for promotion of trafficking services. By criminalizing the advertising itself—not just the underlying exploitation—the law aims to disrupt trafficking networks at a critical operational level where traffickers identify victims and customers.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Defining what constitutes prohibited "advertising" and distinguishing it from protected speech could face constitutional challenges, particularly regarding vague language or overbroad application
  • Enforcement challenges: Determining intent and proving knowledge that an advertisement relates to illegal servitude may be difficult, potentially leading to inconsistent prosecution or false positives
  • Jurisdictional complexity: Online advertising crosses state and international borders, raising questions about Alabama's enforcement authority and whether this creates conflicts with federal trafficking laws and other states' approaches

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

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