A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“Current law has a three-year statute of limitations for these terrible crimes,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It can take victims many years to tell their story; they shouldn’t be limited to a timeframe.”

House Bill 2602 will extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred.

“This legislation reflects our evolving understanding of trauma in survivors and lets them know our justice system is on their side,” said Loughran Cappel.

House Bill 2602 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.