Generally, human trafficking is the unlawful use of force, fraud, or coercion to cause a person to engage in labor, services, or commercial sex acts.  Human trafficking is prohibited under both state and federal law.  Provisions in state law prohibiting trafficking and protecting trafficking victims include:

• imposing criminal penalties on perpetrators of human trafficking;
• providing information on how to recognize victims of human trafficking to certain health professions; and
• providing disclosure statements to certain foreign workers on human trafficking. 

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) must administer funds for healing, support, and transition (HST) services for adults who have been forced or coerced to perform certain commercial sex acts.  The HST services funded by the program include advocacy, safety planning, housing, substance use disorder treatment, medical and behavioral health services, legal advocacy, translation and interpretation, education, job training, employment support, outreach, and emergency financial assistance.

The OCVA must issue a request for proposals (RFP) for HST service providers by September 1, 2023.  The OCVA must include stakeholders in the development of the RFP, including diverse community representatives with lived experience transitioning out of sex trafficking and the Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Adults may self-refer for HST services or be referred by law enforcement service providers, the DCYF, or other state or local organizations.  The OCVA must prioritize funding for HST service providers located in underserved areas of the state.  At least one provider must be located west of the Cascade Mountains, and at least one provider must be located east of the Cascade Mountains.  An HST service provider funded by the OCVA must:

• offer HST services designed to enhance safety and reduce and prevent further trauma;
• provide ongoing services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking;
• provide culturally, developmentally, and linguistically informed and responsive services with priority given to underserved populations in the region who are most impact by sex trafficking;
• incorporate in the program leadership from communities with unique risk factors for sex trafficking, sex trafficking survivor leadership, survivor-informed services, and survivor mentorship;
• meet core needs, provide long-term services, and offer skill training to increase the range of options available to participants, including transition services;
• not require proof of identification or that an individual self-identify as a sex trafficking victim in order to initially access services;
• regularly participate in coordination meetings for HST providers;
• provide training and information on how to engage and refer individuals to HST services; and
• report quarterly data on outcomes of HST services to the OCVA (clients may be compensated for survey participation).

The OCVA must also provide funding to one statewide organization led by adults with lived experience of sex trafficking to provide coordinating support and to convene quarterly statewide coordination meetings for HST service providers and related service providers.  The OCVA must collect certain data, including nonidentifiable demographic client data (including whether clients are current or former foster youth), data on trafficking and trauma verification, data on the services provided to clients, and quarterly data on outcomes.  Beginning December 1, 2025, the OCVA must submit an annual report to the Legislature on the data the OCVA is required to collect on the program and recommendations for modification or expansion of HST services.  Additionally, the OCVA must submit an annual report to the DCYF that includes data on current and former foster youth provided HST services.  The DCYF must use these data for coordination with its liaisons for commercially sexually exploited children.