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<section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="3-8A-17.13" title_number="3" title_name="Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action" subtitle_number="8A" subtitle_name="Juvenile Causes -- Children Other Than Cinas and Adults">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Qualifying offense” has the meaning stated in § 8–302 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Regional navigator” has the meaning stated in § 5–704.4 of the Family Law Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Sex trafficking” has the meaning stated in § 5–701 of the Family Law Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>“Victim of human trafficking” has the meaning stated in § 8–302 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>At any time after a petition alleging that a child has committed a qualifying offense, a violation, or an offense under § 3–1102 of the Criminal Law Article is filed with the court under this subtitle, the court on its own motion, or on motion of the child’s counsel or the State’s Attorney, shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Make the determination required under paragraph (3) of this subsection;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Stay all proceedings until the determination is made; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Refer the child to a regional navigator and notify the Department of Human Services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The court:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Shall schedule a hearing within 15 days after a motion is filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>May, on good cause shown, extend the time for the hearing an additional 15 days.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The court shall determine, by evidence presented on the record and by a preponderance of the evidence, whether the child:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Is a victim of sex trafficking or a victim of human trafficking; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Committed the qualifying offense, violation, or offense under § 3–1102 of the Criminal Law Article as a direct result of being a victim of sex trafficking or being a victim of human trafficking.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The court shall dismiss the charge for any qualifying offense, violation, or offense under § 3–1102 of the Criminal Law Article if the court finds that the child:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Is a victim of sex trafficking or a victim of human trafficking; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Committed the qualifying offense, violation, or offense under § 3–1102 of the Criminal Law Article as a direct result of being a victim of sex trafficking or being a victim of human trafficking.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
