LA HB359

Creates the Human Trafficking in Emergency Departments Task Force within the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention to develop a uniform protocol for identifying and responding to trafficking victims in hospital emergency departments.

Requires the task force to assess hospital emergency department knowledge of trafficking signs, including the "red dot" process that allows victims to silently signal they need care and protection.

Task force membership includes 15 members: chairs of House and Senate Health and Welfare committees, representatives from the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission, Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, Board of Nursing, Hospital Association, Coroner's Association, sexual assault nurse examiners, and an emergency medicine physician.

Regional sexual assault response plans must incorporate the uniform human trafficking protocol developed by the task force alongside existing sexual assault response team protocols.

Task force terminates on January 1, 2027.