Bill · H.R. 9071· House(119-HR-9071)
Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/29/2026
- Last activity
- 5/29/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Troy Nehls
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026 aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code regarding coercion and enticement. It expands the law to include patronizing or soliciting a minor for a commercial sex act. The bill clarifies that the intent to engage in such acts is a punishable offense. It also adjusts sentencing guidelines based on the age of the minor. Finally, the Act includes specific provisions regarding knowledge of age and law enforcement involvement.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill significantly increases penalties for crimes against those under 14 and expands definitions of exploitation.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+1
The bill provides stronger legal protections for minors who may be vulnerable to trafficking.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+1
The bill offers enhanced legal protections for minors against sexual exploitation.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-3
The bill removes the age of the victim as a valid defense and removes the requirement to prove force or coercion.
Does this change how police departments operate?-1
The bill removes the defense that a person was an undercover law enforcement officer.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Criminal Prohibitions: The bill expands the law to include those who engage in, solicit, or offer to patronize a minor for a commercial sex act, as well as those who pay or agree to pay for such acts (Section 2, subsection (b), paragraphs 1-4).
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Increased Penalties for Younger Victims: The bill increases the minimum prison sentence from 10 years to 15 years if the minor is under 14 years of age (Section 2, subsection (b), paragraph 3).
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Clarity on Intent: The law would criminalize entering or remaining in a place with the intent to engage in a commercial sex act with a minor (Section 2, subsection (b), paragraph 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Removal of Age Defense: It would not be a defense that a defendant did not know the victim's age or reasonably believed they were 18 or older, especially if there was a reasonable opportunity to observe the victim (Section 2, subsection (c)).
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Lower Burden of Proof for Prosecution: Proof of force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion is not required if the victim is a minor (Section 2, subsection (d)).
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Impact on Law Enforcement Undercover Operations: It is not a defense to prosecution that the supposed minor was actually an undercover law enforcement officer or someone acting at the direction of law enforcement (Section 2, subsection (e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For African Americans+1Good For Asian Americans+1Good For Hispanic Americans+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Native Americans+1Good For White Americans+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1Improves Racial Equity+1Improves Policing Reform-1
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Wesley HuntRepublican · Texas
Kevin KileyIndependent · California