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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A479 Establishes Affirmative Defense for Human Trafficking Victims Charged with Any Crime
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary CommitteeSponsors: Gabriel Rodriguez and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Assembly Bill 479 establishes an to prosecution for any offense enumerated in if the defendant was a victim of human trafficking at the time of the alleged crime and committed the offense as a direct result of that trafficking.
Expands legal protections for human trafficking victims across all New Jersey criminal statutes by allowing them to present an for crimes they were forced to commit, regardless of whether the trafficker was formally convicted.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
victims of human trafficking
Defendants who are victims of human trafficking gain an affirmative defense against prosecution for any crime committed as a direct result of being trafficked.
prosecutors and judicial officials
Courts and prosecutors must evaluate affirmative defense claims raised by defendants alleging they were victims of human trafficking during the commission of any Title 2C offense.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Assembly Bill 479 do?
Does the trafficker need to be convicted for a victim to use this defense?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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