BILL REQ. #:  S-4902.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to victims of human trafficking; amending RCW 40.24.030; 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   A new section is added to chapter 7.68 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) To provide Washington leaders the information needed to respond comprehensively and efficiently to the crime of human trafficking and to provide services to victims of human trafficking, there is created the Washington state task force against the trafficking of persons.
     (2) The task force shall be authorized from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2011, and shall be administered and chaired by the department of community, trade, and economic development's office of crime victims advocacy.
     (3) The task force shall consist of the following members:
     (a) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, or the director's designee;
     (b) The secretary of the department of health, or the secretary's designee;
     (c) The secretary of the department of social and health services, or the secretary's designee;
     (d) The director of the department of labor and industries, or the
director's designee;
     (e) The commissioner of the employment security department, or the commissioner's designee;
     (f) Five members, selected by the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, who represent public and private sector organizations that provide assistance to persons who are victims of human trafficking;
     (g) A representative of the Washington state supreme court gender and justice commission designated by the administrative office of the courts;
     (h) A representative of an organization providing immigration advocacy services;
     (i) An attorney representing an organization providing immigration legal services;
     (j) The attorney general or the attorney general's designee;
     (k) A member designated by the Washington association of criminal defense lawyers or the Washington defender association;
     (l) A member designated by the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys;
     (m) A member designated by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
     (n) A member designated by the Washington coalition of sexual assault programs;
     (o) A member designated by the administrative office of the courts;
     (p) A member designated by the Washington state coalition against domestic violence;
     (q) A member designated by the Washington state patrol; and
     (r) A member designated by the Washington state advisory committee on trafficking.
     (4) The task force shall carry out the following activities:
     (a) Identify available federal, state, and local programs that provide services to victims of human trafficking that include, but are not limited to health care, human services, housing, education, legal assistance, job training or preparation, interpreting services, English as a second language classes, and victim's compensation;
     (b) Make recommendations on methods to provide a coordinated system of support and assistance to persons who are victims of human trafficking;
     (c) Examine model state human trafficking legislation;
     (d) Review mandatory reporting laws as they may apply to victims of human trafficking;
     (e) Measure and evaluate the progress of the state in human trafficking prevention activities;
     (f) Oversee the ongoing efforts of state agencies to develop human trafficking protocols; and
     (g) Address and consider other topics relevant to trafficking of persons.
     (5) The task force shall present an interim report, including recommendations and any proposed legislation related to the activities listed in subsection (4)(a) through (d) of this section, to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008, and present a final report by June 30, 2011.
     (6) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall provide necessary administrative and clerical support to the task force.
     (7) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

Sec. 2   RCW 40.24.030 and 2001 c 28 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) An adult person, a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor, or a guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated person, as defined in RCW 11.88.010, may apply to the secretary of state to have an address designated by the secretary of state serve as the person's address or the address of the minor or incapacitated person. The secretary of state shall approve an application if it is filed in the manner and on the form prescribed by the secretary of state and if it contains:
     (a) A sworn statement by the applicant that the applicant has good reason to believe (i) that the applicant, or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, ((or)) stalking, or human trafficking; and (ii) that the applicant fears for his or her safety or his or her children's safety, or the safety of the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made;
     (b) A designation of the secretary of state as agent for purposes of service of process and for the purpose of receipt of mail;
     (c) The mailing address where the applicant can be contacted by the secretary of state, and the phone number or numbers where the applicant can be called by the secretary of state;
     (d) The new address or addresses that the applicant requests not be disclosed for the reason that disclosure will increase the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
     (e) The signature of the applicant and of any individual or representative of any office designated in writing under RCW 40.24.080 who assisted in the preparation of the application, and the date on which the applicant signed the application.
     (2) Applications shall be filed with the office of the secretary of state.
     (3) Upon filing a properly completed application, the secretary of state shall certify the applicant as a program participant. Applicants shall be certified for four years following the date of filing unless the certification is withdrawn or invalidated before that date. The secretary of state shall by rule establish a renewal procedure.
     (4) A person who falsely attests in an application that disclosure of the applicant's address would endanger the applicant's safety or the safety of the applicant's children or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, or who knowingly provides false or incorrect information upon making an application, shall be punishable under RCW 40.16.030 or other applicable statutes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If specific funding for the purposes of section 1 of this act, referencing this act and section 1 of this act by bill or chapter number and section number, is not provided by June 30, 2006, in the omnibus appropriations act, section 1 of this act is null and void.