117 HR 8672 IH: Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022
U.S. House of Representatives
2022-08-05
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I
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8672
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 5, 2022
Mr. Owens (for himself, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Jeffries, and Mrs. Wagner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To provide for the vacating of certain convictions and expungement of certain arrests of victims of human trafficking.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2022”.
2.

Federal expungement for victims of trafficking
(a)

In general
Chapter 237 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“3772.

Motion to vacate; expungement; mitigating factors
(a)

Definitions
In this section—
(1)
the term child means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age;
(2)
the term covered prisoner means an individual—
(A)
convicted of a level B offense before or after the date of enactment of this section;
(B)
sentenced to a term of imprisonment for the level B offense; and
(C)
imprisoned under such term of imprisonment;
(3)
the term eligible entity includes—
(A)
a legal aid society or legal services organization that provides indigent legal services;
(B)
a nonprofit organization that provides legal services to victims of trafficking; and
(C)
a public defender's office;
(4)
the terms employee and officer have the meanings given the terms in section 2105 of title 5;
(5)
the term Federal offense means an offense that is punishable under Federal law;
(6)
the term level A offense—
(A)
means a Federal offense that is not—
(i)
a violent crime; or
(ii)
an offense of which a child was a victim; and
(B)
includes—
(i)
a conspiracy to commit an offense described in subparagraph (A)(i) of which a child was not a victim; and
(ii)
a conspiracy to commit an offense described in subparagraph (A)(ii) that is not a violent crime;
(7)
the term level B offense—
(A)
means a Federal offense that is a violent crime;
(B)
does not include a Federal offense that is a violent crime of which a child was a victim; and
(C)
includes a conspiracy to commit an offense described in subparagraph (B);
(8)
the term level C offense means any Federal offense that is not a level A offense;
(9)
the term victim of trafficking has the meaning given that term in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102); and
(10)
the term violent crime has the meaning given that term in section 103 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (34 U.S.C. 11103).
(b)

Motions To vacate convictions or expunge arrests
(1)

In general
(A)

Convictions of level A offenses
A person convicted of any level A offense (or an eligible entity representing such a person) may move to vacate the judgment of conviction if the level A offense was committed as a direct result of the person having been a victim of trafficking.
(B)

Arrests for level A offenses
A person arrested for any level A offense (or an eligible entity representing such a person) may move to expunge all records of the arrest if the conduct or alleged conduct of the person that resulted in the arrest was directly related to the person having been a victim of trafficking.
(C)

Arrests for level C offenses
A person arrested for any level C offense (or an eligible entity representing such a person) may move to expunge all records of the arrest if—
(i)
the conduct or alleged conduct of the movant that resulted in the arrest was directly related to the movant having been a victim of trafficking; and
(ii)
(I)
the movant was acquitted of the level C offense;
(II)
the Government did not pursue or dismissed criminal charges against the movant for the level C offense; or
(III)
- (aa)
the charges against the movant for the level C offense were reduced to an offense that is a level A offense; and
- (bb)
the movant was acquitted of the level A offense, the Government did not pursue or dismissed criminal charges against the movant for the level A offense, or any subsequent conviction of the level A offense was vacated.
(D)

Trafficking offense unnecessary
A person may file a motion under this section regardless of whether any individual, including the individual accused of trafficking the person, has been arrested, prosecuted, or convicted for an offense related to human trafficking.
(E)

Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any arrest, prosecution, or conviction for an offense that is not the direct result of human trafficking.
(2)

Contents of motion
A motion described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A)
be in writing;
(B)
describe any supporting evidence;
(C)
state the offense; and
(D)
include copies of any documents showing that the movant is entitled to relief under this section.
(3)

Hearing
(A)

Mandatory hearing
(i)

Motion in opposition
Not later than 30 days after the date on which a motion is filed under paragraph (1), the Government may file a motion in opposition of the motion filed under paragraph (1).
(ii)

Mandatory hearing
If the Government files a motion described in clause (i), not later than 15 days after the date on which the motion is filed, the court shall hold a hearing on the motion.
(B)

Discretionary hearing
If the Government does not file a motion described in subparagraph (A)(i), the court may hold a hearing on the motion not later than 45 days after the date on which a motion is filed under paragraph (1).
(4)

Factors
(A)

Vacating convictions of level A offenses
The court may grant a motion under paragraph (1)(A) if, after notice to the Government and an opportunity to be heard, the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that—
(i)
the movant was convicted of a level A offense; and
(ii)
the participation in the level A offense by the movant was a direct result of the movant having been a victim of trafficking.
(B)

Expunging arrests for level A offenses
The court may grant a motion under paragraph (1)(B) if, after notice to the Government and an opportunity to be heard, the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that—
(i)
the movant was arrested for a level A offense; and
(ii)
the conduct or alleged conduct that resulted in the arrest was directly related to the movant having been a victim of trafficking.
(C)

Expunging arrests for level C offenses
The court may grant a motion under paragraph (1)(C) if, after notice to the Government and an opportunity to be heard, the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that—
(i)
the movant was arrested for a level C offense and the conduct or alleged conduct that resulted in the arrest was directly related to the movant having been a victim of trafficking; and
(ii)
(I)
the movant was acquitted of the level C offense;
(II)
the Government did not pursue or dismissed criminal charges against the movant for the level C offense; or
(III)
- (aa)
the charges against the movant for the level C offense were reduced to a level A offense; and
- (bb)
the movant was acquitted of the level A offense, the Government did not pursue or dismissed criminal charges against the movant for the level A offense, or any subsequent conviction of that level A offense was vacated.
(5)

Supporting evidence
(A)

Rebuttable presumption
For purposes of this subsection, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the movant is a victim of trafficking if the movant includes in the motion—
(i)
a copy of an official record, certification, or eligibility letter from a Federal, State, Tribal, or local proceeding, including an approval notice or an enforcement certification generated from a Federal immigration proceeding, that shows that the movant was a victim of trafficking, including a victim of a trafficker charged with a violation of chapter 77; or
(ii)
an affidavit or sworn testimony from a trained professional staff member of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, a medical professional, or another professional from whom the movant has sought assistance in addressing the trauma associated with being a victim of trafficking.
(B)

Other evidence
(i)

In general
For purposes of this section, in determining whether the movant is a victim of trafficking, the court may consider any other evidence the court determines is of sufficient credibility and probative value, including an affidavit or sworn testimony of the movant.
(ii)

Affidavit or sworn testimony of movant sufficient evidence
The affidavit or sworn testimony of the movant described in clause (i) shall be sufficient evidence to vacate a conviction or expunge an arrest under this section if the court determines that—
(I)
the affidavit or sworn testimony is credible; and
(II)
no other evidence is readily available.
(6)

Conviction or arrest of other persons not required
It shall not be necessary that any person other than the movant be convicted of or arrested for an offense before the movant may file a motion under paragraph (1).
(7)

Denial of motion
(A)

In general
If the court denies a motion filed under paragraph (1), the denial shall be without prejudice.
(B)

Reasons for denial
If the court denies a motion filed under paragraph (1), the court shall state the reasons for the denial in writing.
(C)

Reasonable time to cure deficiencies in motion
If the motion was denied due to a curable deficiency in the motion, the court shall allow the movant sufficient time to cure the deficiency.
(8)

Appeal
An order granting or denying a motion under this section may be appealed in accordance with section 1291 of title 28.
(c)

Vacatur of convictions
(1)

In general
If the court grants a motion to vacate a conviction of a level A offense under subsection (b), the court shall immediately vacate the conviction for cause, set aside the verdict and enter a judgment of acquittal, and enter an expungement order that directs that there be expunged from all official records all references to—
(A)
the arrest of the movant for the level A offense;
(B)
the institution of criminal proceedings against the movant relating to the level A offense; and
(C)
the results of the proceedings.
(2)

Effect
If a conviction is vacated under an order entered under paragraph (1)—
(A)
the conviction shall not be regarded as a conviction under Federal law and the movant for whom the conviction was vacated shall be considered to have the status occupied by the movant before the arrest or the institution of the criminal proceedings related to such conviction; and
(B)
no alien may be removed, determined to be inadmissible, or lose any immigration benefit because of such conviction, arrest, or institution of criminal proceedings.
(d)

Expungement of arrests
(1)

In general
If the court grants a motion to expunge all records of an arrest for an offense under subsection (b), the court shall immediately enter an expungement order that directs that there be expunged from all official records all references to—
(A)
the arrest of the movant for the offense;
(B)
the institution of any criminal proceedings against the movant relating to the offense; and
(C)
the results of the proceedings, if any.
(2)

Effect
If an arrest is expunged under an order entered under paragraph (1)—
(A)
the arrest shall not be regarded as an arrest under Federal law and the movant for whom the arrest is expunged shall be considered to have the status occupied by the movant before the arrest or the institution of the criminal proceedings related to such arrest, if any; and
(B)
no alien may be removed, determined to be inadmissible, or lose any immigration benefit because of arrest or institution of criminal proceedings, if any.
(e)

Mitigating factors
(1)

In general
The court that imposed sentence for a level B offense upon a covered prisoner may reduce the term of imprisonment for the level B offense—
(A)
upon—
(i)
motion by the covered prisoner or the Director of the Bureau of Prisons; or
(ii)
the court's own motion;
(B)
after notice to the Government;
(C)
after considering—
(i)
the factors set forth in section 3553(a);
(ii)
the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person; and
(iii)
the community, or any crime victims; and
(D)
if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the covered prisoner committed the level B offense as a direct result of the covered prisoner having been a victim of trafficking.
(2)

Rebuttable presumption
For the purposes of this subsection, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a covered prisoner is a victim of trafficking if the covered prisoner provides—
(A)
a copy of an official record, certification, or eligibility letter from a Federal, State, Tribal, or local proceeding, including an approval notice or an enforcement certification generated from a Federal immigration proceeding, that shows that the covered prisoner was a victim of trafficking, including a victim of a trafficker charged with a violation of chapter 77; or
(B)
an affidavit or sworn testimony from a trained professional staff member of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, a medical professional, or another professional from whom the covered prisoner has sought assistance in addressing the trauma associated with being a victim of trafficking.
(3)

Requirement
Any proceeding under this subsection shall be subject to section 3771.
(4)

Particularized inquiry
For any motion under paragraph (1), the Government shall conduct a particularized inquiry of the facts and circumstances of the original sentencing of the covered prisoner in order to assess whether a reduction in sentence would be consistent with this section.
(f)

Additional actions by court
The court may, upon granting a motion under this section, take such additional action as the court determines is appropriate.
(g)

Confidentiality of movant
(1)

In general
A motion under this section and any documents, pleadings, or orders relating to the motion shall be filed under seal.
(2)

Information not available for public inspection
An officer or employee may not make available for public inspection any report, paper, picture, photograph, court file, or other document, in the custody or possession of the officer or employee, that identifies the movant.
(h)

Applicability
This section shall apply to any conviction or arrest occurring before, on, or after the date of enactment of this section.”.
(b)

Technical and conforming amendment
The table of sections of chapter 237 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“3772. Motion to vacate; expungement; mitigating factors.”.
3.

Reports
(a)

United States Attorneys
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each United States attorney shall submit to the Attorney General a report that details—
(1)
the number of motions for vacatur or expungement filed under section 3772 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 2, in the district of the United States attorney; and
(2)
for each motion described in paragraph (1)—
(A)
the underlying offense;
(B)
the response of the United States attorney to the motion; and
(C)
the final determination of the court with respect to the motion.
(b)

Government Accountability Office
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that—
(1)
assesses the impact of the enactment of section 3772 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 2; and
(2)
includes—
(A)
the number of human trafficking survivors who have filed motions for vacatur or expungement under such section 3772;
(B)
the final determination of each court that adjudicated a motion described in subparagraph (A); and
(C)
recommendations to increase access to post-conviction relief for human trafficking survivors with Federal criminal records.
4.

Use of grants for post-conviction relief representation
The Office of Justice Programs or the Office on Violence Against Women, in awarding a grant that may be used for legal representation, may not prohibit a recipient from using the grant for legal representation for post-conviction relief.
5.

Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
this Act is a first step to address the changing tactics of human traffickers, who are using forced criminality as a form of force, fraud, and coercion in their human trafficking enterprises; and
(2)
Congress is committed to continuing to find solutions as needed to thwart human traffickers and protect survivors of human trafficking.
6.

Human trafficking defense
(a)

In general
Chapter 1 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“28.

Human trafficking defense
(a)

Definition
In this section, the term covered Federal offense means a level A offense or level B offense, as those terms are defined in section 3772.
(b)

Presumption of duress
In a prosecution for a covered Federal offense, a defendant who establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was a victim of trafficking at the time at which the defendant committed the offense shall create a rebuttable presumption that the offense was induced by duress.
(c)

Record or proceeding under seal
In any proceeding in which a defense under subsection (b) is raised, any record or part of the proceeding related to the defense shall, on motion, be placed under seal until such time as a conviction is entered for the offense.
(d)

Post-Conviction relief
A failure to assert, or failed assertion of, a defense under subsection (b) by an individual who is convicted of a covered Federal offense may not preclude the individual from asserting as a mitigating factor, at sentencing or in a proceeding for any post-conviction relief, that at the time of the commission of the offense, the defendant was a victim of trafficking and committed the offense under duress.
(e)

Federal aid
A failure to assert, or failed assertion of, a defense under subsection (b) by an individual who is convicted of a covered Federal offense may not be used for the purpose of disqualifying the individual from participating in any federally funded program that aids victims of human trafficking.”.
(b)

Technical and conforming amendment
The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“28. Human trafficking defense.”.