House Judiciary Committee advances bills to protect trafficking victims and kids
Rep. Tim Briggs May 4, 2026 | 1:13 PM
HARRISBURG, May 4 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a series of bills aimed at strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking, supporting child survivors of abuse, and modernizing criminal statutes to reflect emerging threats.
The bills now head to the full House for further consideration.
“Today’s votes reflect a clear commitment to protecting vulnerable Pennsylvanians and ensuring our justice system responds with both accountability and compassion,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Tim Briggs. “These measures take meaningful steps to close gaps in the law, support survivors, and hold offenders responsible.”
House Bill 910 (Sponsored by Rep. Donna Scheuren) would make trafficking an infant a first-degree felony, ensuring the law treats these cases with the seriousness they deserve. It closes a gap in current law and strengthens penalties against those who exploit the most vulnerable.
House Bill 1616 (Sponsored by Rep. Kyle Donahue) would give judges more flexibility when sentencing child victims of trafficking or abuse who commit crimes against their abusers. It recognizes the reality of what these children have been through and allows for fairer, more appropriate sentences.
“This bill recognizes children that are overlooked in our justice system, those who have been trafficked or abused,” said state Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-Lackawanna, who serves on the committee. “When those victim children commit crimes against the very people who harmed them, we cannot treat those cases the same as any other.
“By reporting H.B. 1616 out of the Judiciary Committee today, we are taking an important step toward a more just and compassionate system that acknowledges the profound impact of abuse. No child should face a lifetime of punishment without their story being heard.”
House Bill 2243 (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Webster) would make sure minors who are trafficked aren’t prosecuted for nonviolent crimes they were forced to commit. It also makes clear they can’t be charged with prostitution-related offenses tied to their exploitation.
House Bill 2252 (Sponsored by Rep. Emily Kinkead) would update Pennsylvania’s law on sharing intimate images without consent by removing outdated requirements and covering more victims. It also creates a tiered system of penalties based on the level of harm and intent.
“When sexually explicit images are shared without consent, our current law leaves many victims without recourse,” said Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, who serves on the committee. “It only applies if the perpetrator is a current or former intimate partner and acted with intent to harass or annoy. Most of these cases are now committed by strangers who seek to profit from or humiliate the victim. This bill closes these loopholes and ensures meaningful protection for those who have their privacy and dignity violated.”
House Bill 2443 (Sponsored by Reps. Kyle Mullins and Jim Rigby) would create a Child Victim Recovery Fund, paid for by fees on offenders, to support Child Advocacy Centers across Pennsylvania. The funding would help expand services like forensic interviews, medical care, and trauma-informed treatment for kids.
House Bill 2474 (Sponsored by Reps. Nikki Rivera and Kristin Marcell) would require school officials and administrators to quickly report sexually explicit deepfake images of minors to law enforcement. The goal is to stop delays that can lead to more harm and make sure authorities can act right away to protect kids.
“These bills demonstrate that we can be both tough and thoughtful in how we approach justice,” Briggs added. “By centering victims and addressing real-world challenges, we are building a system that better serves all Pennsylvanians.”