1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to civil actions; modifying civil liability for labor and sex trafficking 
1.3 	crimes; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299A; 
1.4 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 609.284, subdivision 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [299A.794] HUMAN TRAFFICKING; CIVIL LIABILITY.
1.7 	(a) A trafficking victim may bring a cause of action against a person who violates 
1.8 	section 609.282, 609.283, or 609.322. The court may award damages, including punitive 
1.9 	damages, reasonable attorney fees, and other reasonable litigation costs. A victim who 
1.10 	prevails in an action brought under this section is entitled to a minimum of $20,000 in 
1.11 	damages, regardless of the amount of actual damages proved, plus costs, disbursements, 
1.12 	punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. No criminal action needs to be filed or 
1.13 	pending arising out of the same occurrence in order for damages under this section to be 
1.14 	assessed.
1.15 	(b) An action for damages under paragraph (a) must be commenced not later than six 
1.16 	years after the cause of action arises or not later than one year from the date the trafficking 
1.17 	victim bringing the action is free from human traffickers.
1.18 	(c) For the purposes of this section, "person" means an individual, partnership, 
1.19 	organization, company, association, or corporation.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2009, and applies to causes 
1.21 	of action arising on or after that date.

1.22 	Sec. 2.  REPEALER.
 1.23 	Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 609.284, subdivision 2, is repealed.

2.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2009.