SB 1225

ON MARCH 19, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1225, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following changes to present law:  Provide that a victim of a human trafficking offense using force against a person who is committing or attempting to commit a human trafficking offense is presumed to have held a reasonable belief of imminent death or serious bodily injury to self, family, a member of the household, or a person visiting as an invited guest when that force is used.  Require a person to prove the ir status as a victim of human trafficking by clear and convincing evidence , and authorize s uch evidence to be offered through testimony.  For purposes of self-defense, defines a "human trafficking offense"" as the commission of an act that would constitute the criminal offense of (i) trafficking a person for a commercial sex act; (ii) patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18, has an intellectual disability, or is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor; or (iii) promoting prostitution of a person more than 12 but less than 18 or a person with an intellectual disability.  Clarifies that a defendant arrested for the offense o f obstructing a highway or passageway must not be released within 12 hours of the time of arrest."