§2. Sentencing youthful victim offenders who have been trafficked, abused, or assaulted
This section amends 18 U.S.C. §3553 by adding subsection (h), which authorizes courts, for a youthful victim offender, (1) to impose a sentence below the statutory minimum to account for the effect of trauma on the offender's conduct; and (2) to suspend any portion of an imposed sentence. It defines a youthful victim offender as an individual who has not attained age 18 and who has been convicted of a violent offense against a person the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, committed against the offender not earlier than one year prior an offense under 18 U.S.C. §1591 (sex trafficking) or chapter 71 (obscenity), 109A (sexual abuse), 110 (sexual exploitation and other abuse of children), or 117 (transportation for illegal sexual activity or purpose) of title 18. The amendments apply only to convictions entered on or after the date of enactment, and the section directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its guidelines and policy statements issued under 28 U.S.C. §994(p) to ensure consistency with these changes.