TRAFFICKING VICTIM COMPENSATION                                                             S.B. 590:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 590 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator John Proos

Committee:  Families, Seniors and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would create the "Human Trafficking Victims Compensation Act" to provide that a person who violated Chapter 67A (Human Trafficking) of the Michigan Penal Code would be liable to the victim for economic and noneconomic damages resulting from the violation, regardless of whether the damages were foreseeable to the violator, or whether the violator was charged with or convicted of the violation.

A victim would be entitled to damages to the extent he or she sustained the damages, regardless of whether the victim sustained physical injury as a result of the violation.  An action to recover damages would have to be filed within three years of the last violation that was the subject of the action occurred.  The damages for which a violator could be liable for would include, but not be limited to:

-- Physical pain and suffering.

-- Reasonable medical or psychological treatment expenses.

-- Loss of earnings.

-- Emotional damages.

-- Damage to property.

-- Other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the violation.

                                                                                    Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  1-30-14                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  John Maxwell

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.