Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Bettering Resources In Guarding from Human Trafficking Act of 2017” or the “BRIGHT Act of 2017”.
Bettering Resources In Guarding from Human Trafficking Act of 2017
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain trafficking offenses, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Mandatory minimums for certain trafficking offenses
Peonage— Section 1581(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in the first sentence, by striking “or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 20 years”; and
in the second sentence, by striking “or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years”.
Vessels for slave trade— Section 1582 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than seven years”.
in subsection (a), by striking “, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 20 years”; and
in subsection (b), by striking “, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years”.
Sale into involuntary servitude— Section 1584(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in the first sentence, by striking “or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 20 years”; and
in the second sentence, by striking “or imprisoned for any term or years or life, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years”.
Seizure, detention, transportation or sale of slaves— Section 1585 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than seven years”.
Service on vessels in slave trade— Section 1586 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or imprisoned not more than two years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than one year and not more than two years”.
Possession of slaves aboard vessel— Section 1587 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or imprisoned not more than four years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than one year and not more than four years”.
Transportation of slaves from United States— Section 1588 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 10 years”.
Forced labor— Section 1589(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in the first sentence, by striking “, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 20 years”; and
in the second sentence, by striking “, imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years”.
Trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude, or forced labor— Section 1590(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in the first sentence, by striking “or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than five years and not more than 20 years”; and
in the second sentence, by striking “or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both” and inserting “and imprisoned for not less than 5 years”.
Unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking, peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude, or forced labor— Section 1592(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“(a) Whoever knowingly destroys, conceals, removes, confiscates, or possesses any actual or purported passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document, of another person—
“(1)
“(A) in the course of a violation of section 1581, 1583, 1584, 1589, 1590, or 1594(a);
“(B) with intent to violate section 1581, 1583, 1584, 1589, or 1590; or
“(C) to prevent or restrict or to attempt to prevent or restrict, without lawful authority, the person's liberty to move or travel, in order to maintain the labor or services of that person, when the person is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined in section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000,
“(2) in the course of a violation of section 1591, or with intent to violate such section, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for not less than 5 years and not more than 10 years.”