SB 998 Summary

• Expands county child welfare and probation policies to identify and serve children who are victims of labor trafficking by January 1, 2026, in addition to existing policies for commercial sexual exploitation victims.

• Requires the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System to collect data on dependent children in foster care who are victims of human trafficking (including labor trafficking) or at risk of becoming victims, with implementation by June 1, 2025.

• Renames the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Program to the Human Trafficked Children Program and expands its scope to serve all children who are victims of human trafficking, including labor trafficking victims.

• Requires the State Department of Social Services to report to the Legislature by April 1, 2025, on implementation progress and challenges specific to serving child victims of labor trafficking.

• Exempts the state from reimbursing local agencies for costs that are within the scope of the 2011 Realignment Legislation or for new services above the level of state-funded support.