ESSB 5884

Brief Description: Concerning the trafficking of persons.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Darneille, Padden, Keiser, Conway, Chase and Hasegawa).

Hearing Date: 3/25/15

Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).

Background:

Office of Crime Victims Advocacy.

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) is a program of the Department of Commerce, which performs the following functions:

• advocates on behalf of victims obtaining needed services and resources;

• administers grant funding for community programs working with victims of crimes;

• assists communities in planning and implementing services for crime victims; and

• advises local and state government agencies of practices, policies, and priorities which impact crime victims.

The OCVA administers grant funding to community agencies providing services to human trafficking victims.

Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons.

The 2002 Legislature established the Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons (Task Force). The Task Force consisted of the following persons (or their designees): the Director of the Office of Community Development; the Secretary of the Department of Health; the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services; the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries; and the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department. In addition, the Task Force included nine members, selected by the Director of the Office of Community Development, that represented the public and private sector organizations that provide assistance to persons who are victims of trafficking.

The Task Force was responsible for the following activities:

• measuring and evaluating the progress of the state's trafficking prevention activities;

• identifying federal, state, and local programs that provide victims of trafficking with services such as health care, human services, housing, education, legal assistance, job training or preparation, interpreting services, English as a second language classes, and victim's compensation; and

• making recommendations on how to provide a coordinated system of support and assistance to victims of trafficking.

The Task Force was required to provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature in 2004 on its findings and recommendations. The Task Force expired in 2004.

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee.

The Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee (Committee) was established in 2013 to address the issue of children who are commercially sexually exploited, examine the practices of local and regional entities involved in addressing sexually exploited children, and make recommendations on statewide laws and practices.

The Committee is convened by the Office of the Attorney General. The Committee members include representatives of:

• each caucus in the House of Representatives and the Senate;

• the Office of the Governor;

• the Department of Social and Health Services, Children's Administration;

• the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration;

• the Office of the Attorney General;

• the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

• the Administrative Office of the Courts;

• the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs;

• the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission;

• the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys;

• the Office of Public Defense;

• the Center for Children and Youth Justice;

• three community service providers that provide direct services to commercially sexually exploited children;

• two nongovernmental organizations familiar with the issues affecting commercially sexually exploited children;

• the Superior Court Judges' Association;

• the Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators;

• any existing chairs of regional task forces on commercially sexually exploited children;

• the criminal defense bar;

• the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy; and

• the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

The duties of the Committee include but are not limited to overseeing and reviewing the implementation of the Washington State Model Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children at pilot sites; receiving reports and data from local and regional entities regarding the incidence of commercially sexually exploited children in their areas; reviewing recommendations from local and regional entities regarding policy changes that would improve the effectiveness of local response practices; and making recommendations regarding data collection and strategic local investments to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Until its June 30, 2015 expiration date, the Committee must meet no less than annually and report by June 30 of each year to the appropriate committees of the Legislature and to any other known statewide committees addressing trafficking or the commercial sex trade.

Summary of Bill:

Office of Crime Victims Advocacy.

The OCVA is designated as the single point of contact in state government regarding the trafficking of persons. The OCVA must create and maintain an information portal serving as the state government contact regarding human trafficking. The portal is known as the Washington State Clearinghouse on Human Trafficking. The clearinghouse must share and coordinate statewide efforts to combat the trafficking of persons. The clearinghouse must:

• coordinate information on all statewide human trafficking task forces;

• publish statewide task force reports;

• maintain a comprehensive resource directory for trafficking victims; and

• collect and disseminate up-to-date state and federal news, legislative efforts, and information on human trafficking.

The OCVA must review and approve a model human trafficking notice for voluntary use by establishments that maintain public restrooms. The OCVA may work with businesses, other establishments, and human trafficking victim advocates to develop notice placement policies. The notice is produced and distributed by a participating nonprofit organization. The OCVA must report the progress of the voluntary public restroom notices to legislative committees by December 31, 2016.

Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons.

The Task Force is reinstated and includes the following new members:

• one member from each of the two largest caucuses of both the Senate and the House of Representatives;

• the Director of the OCVA, instead of the Office of Community Development;

• the Attorney General;

• the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

• the Director of the Department of Agriculture;

• at least one human trafficking survivor; and

• eleven members from various entities that provide assistance to victims and survivors of human trafficking or who work on related issues.

In addition to its previous duties, the Task Force must review the statutory response to human trafficking, analyze the impact and effectiveness of the laws, and make recommendations on legislation to further anti-trafficking efforts.

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee.

The Committee's expiration date is extended to June 30, 2017.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available on original bill.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.