MS HB571

Minors under age 18 can no longer be charged with prostitution; law enforcement must take them into custody per Youth Court Act and report to Department of Child Protection Services.

Department of Child Protection Services must document children who experienced commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking, provide training to staff and foster parents on handling victims, and create policies for counseling and services.

Multidisciplinary child protection teams now include commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking in their scope, with Department of Child Protection Services and Human Trafficking Coordinator as required members.

911 telecommunicators and law enforcement officers must receive at least 2 hours of training on identifying, responding to, and supporting victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator position moved from Attorney General's office to Mississippi Bureau of Investigation within Department of Public Safety, with expanded duties including annual reporting on trafficking cases.