BILL REQ. #:  H-3531.1 

Read first time 01/27/2004.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to services for victims of trafficking of persons; adding a new section to chapter 7.68 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The state intends to improve the response of state, local, and private entities to incidents of trafficking in humans in order to provide better investigations and prosecutions of such acts and to establish a coordinated and humane system of identifying the needs of persons who are victimized by these actions in order to deliver appropriate services in a way that promotes safety and dignity. The legislature recognizes there are many state agencies and private organizations that might be called on to provide services to victims of trafficking of persons and that such victims would be better served if protocols are developed for training of service delivery agencies staff and the delivery of services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 7.68 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2004, the director of the office of community development, or the director's designee, shall within existing resources convene and chair a work group to develop written protocols for delivery of services to victims of trafficking of persons. In addition to the director of the office of community development, the following shall be members of the work group: The secretary of the department of health, the secretary of the department of social and health services, the attorney general, the director of the department of labor and industries, the commissioner of the employment security department, a representative of the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys, and three members, selected by the director of the office of community development from a list submitted by public and private sector organizations that provide assistance to persons who are victims of trafficking. The attorney general and the secretaries or directors may designate a person to serve in their place.
     Members of the work group shall serve without compensation.
     (2) The protocols must meet all of the following minimum standards:
     (a) The protocols must apply to the following state agencies: The department of health, the department of social and health services, the attorney general's office, the department of labor and industries, and the employment security department;
     (b) The protocols must provide policies and procedures for interagency coordinated operations and cooperation with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations, agencies, and jurisdictions, including law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys;
     (c) The protocols must include the establishment of a data base electronically available to all affected agencies which contains the name, address, and telephone numbers of agencies that provide services to victims of human trafficking; and
     (d) The protocols must provide guidelines for providing for the social service needs of victims of trafficking of persons, including housing, health care, and employment.
     (3) The protocols shall be reviewed on a biennial basis by the director of the office of community development to determine whether revisions are appropriate.
     (4) By January 1, 2005, the work group shall finalize the written protocols and submit them with a report to the legislature and the governor.