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 their status as a victim of human trafficking by clear and convincing evidence, and authorize such 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 of obstructing a highway or passageway must not be released within 12 hours of the time of arrest. ON APRIL 14, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1225 FOR HOUSE BILL 1354, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1225, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 removes the first bullet point in the amendment summary above and provides, instead, that a person is presumed to have held a reasonable belief of imminent death or serious bodily injury to self if (i) the person uses force intended or likel y to cause death or serious bodily injury against an individual who is committing or attempting to commit a human trafficking offense; and (ii) the person using force is the victim of the human trafficking offense being committed or attempted by the indi vi dual. This amendment removes the third bullet and, instead, for purposes of self-defense, defines a ""human trafficking offense"" as the commission of an act that would constitute the criminal offense of any of the following:  Involuntary labor servitude  Trafficking persons for forced labor or services  Trafficking for commercial sex act  Patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18, has an intellectual disability, or is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor  Promoting prostitution of a person more than 12 but less than 18 or a person with an intellectual disability  Promoting the prostitution of a minor. ON APRIL 16, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1."