SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5933
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Law & Justice, February 18, 2015
Title: An act relating to establishing a statewide training program on human trafficking laws for criminal justice personnel.
Brief Description: Establishing a statewide training program on human trafficking laws for criminal justice personnel.
Sponsors: Senators O'Ban, Kohl-Welles, Miloscia, Fraser, Fain, Padden, Hasegawa, Litzow, Dammeier, Chase and Conway.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/17/15, 2/18/15 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5933 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Darneille, Kohl-Welles, Pearson and Roach.
Staff: Melissa Burke-Cain (786-7755)
Background: Criminal justice personnel who investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate human trafficking crimes need a good foundation in the state laws governing human trafficking to perform their duties effectively. Interdisciplinary training for the criminal justice community promotes the best use of existing laws to reduce instances of human trafficking.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) at the Department of Commerce must establish a statewide coordinated training program for criminal justice personnel on Washington's human trafficking laws. Where possible an entity with experience in developing training programs, coalitions, and policy on human trafficking in Washington must provide the training. The OCVA must provide a biennial report to legislative policy committees working on human trafficking issues about the training and its effectiveness.
The training curriculum must encourage interdisciplinary coordination among criminal justice personnel, build cultural competency, and develop understanding of diverse victim populations including children, youth, and adults.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The training curriculum must be designed and implemented to encourage interdisciplinary coordination among criminal justice personnel, to build cultural competency, and to develop understanding of diverse victim populations including children, youth, and adults.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The recent report from the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy says that training for criminal justice personnel is an important priority to spread understanding of the trafficking laws. In some cases, those investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating trafficking crimes may not know the details of the laws that would allow them to use the laws to full effect. In some cases there is institutional resistance to training that can be overcome with a community-oriented and sustainable approach.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Rose Gundersen, WA Engage.