Bill to Create Services for Trafficking Victims Passes Senate and Goes to House Health & Welfare Committee

SB 145 by Sen. Ronnie Johns was heard in committee, amended and passed to the Senate Floor where it was supported by favorable vote of 38 yeas and no nays. In the House it was referred to the Committee on Health & Welfare. It passed the Senate on April 29.

If it were to become law, the measure provides that, subject to appropriation by the legislature, the Dept. of Children and Family Services, working in collaboration with the Dept. of Health, and the Family in Need of Services Assistance Program, with the assistance of the La. Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers, to create a coalition to develop a human trafficking victim services
delivery model.

The proposed law further provides that the model is to be developed with consideration of the recommendations of and collaborating with the La. Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and Advisory Board, and provide a multidisciplinary and agency approach that coordinates resources and improves the statewide response and delivery of services to victims.

The new would designate that the human trafficking victim services delivery model is to provide a plan to address and promote the following goals including but not limited to:

(1) Safe and sufficient placements. (2) Available and adequate funding sources. (3) Stakeholder partnerships. (4) Coordinated response. (5) Appropriate and responsive services.

The Dept. of Children and Family Services is to promulgate any rules necessary to implement the provisions of proposed law, and that the Dept. of Children and Family Services is to provide a report on the development of the coalition’s services delivery model to the Senate and House
Committees on Health and Welfare by June 30, 2020, and annually thereafter until completion of the model.

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