SB 543 Summary

• Establishes a statewide coordinator on human trafficking within the department of the attorney general to develop and implement programs preventing human trafficking and assisting victims, without regard to civil service hiring requirements.

• Requires the attorney general to submit reports to the legislature by 2022 on commercial sexual exploitation of children and by 2023 on human trafficking efforts, including data on suspected and confirmed victims, prosecutions, convictions, and service providers' costs.

• Mandates the program develop statewide strategies to prevent trafficking, support victims, implement offender accountability measures, provide public awareness campaigns, create training programs, and apply for federal anti-trafficking funding.

• Expands the children's justice program to coordinate investigation and case management of human trafficking cases, including commercial sexual exploitation of children, in addition to its existing child abuse responsibilities.

• Requires all public officials and state and county departments to provide necessary assistance and cooperation to share information with the human trafficking program in carrying out its duties.