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Bill Summary

House Research Department

         File Number:     H.F. 1461                                                           

                 Version:     As introduced

                    Date:    March 19, 2009

                                                                                  

                    Authors:     Lesch

                    Subject:     Human trafficking; training and public awareness

                     Analyst:     Rebecca Pirius, 651-296-5044          

 

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Overview

This bill amends provisions under current law regarding the commissioner of public safety’s responsibility to develop a plan to address and prevent trafficking. It expands the commissioner’s duties to require human trafficking training for governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, it requires the commissioner to prepare and disseminate public awareness initiatives.

Section

 

1         

Human trafficking training.

     Para. (a). Defines “governmental agencies” and “nongovernmental organizations.”

     Para. (b). Directs the commissioner to provide human trafficking training to governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations throughout the state.

     Para. (c). Outlines the requirements of the training to include: (1) related Minnesota and federal laws, (2) methods of identifying trafficking victims, (3) methods for prosecuting trafficking crimes, (4) methods to increase inter-organization collaboration, (5) methods for protecting victims’ rights, and (6) methods to promote victim safety.

     Para. (d). Requires the commissioner to develop and deliver training with input from nongovernmental organizations.  Authorizes the commissioner to contract with outside organizations.

2         

Public awareness initiative.

     Para. (a). Directs the commissioner, in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations, to prepare public awareness programs designed to educate potential victims and families on risks of victimization, including information on: (1) the risks of becoming a sex trafficking victim, (2) the risks of engaging in commercial sex, (3) the risks of becoming a labor trafficking victim, (4) victims’ rights, (5) methods of reporting suspected recruitment activities, and (6) available hotlines and victim services.

     Para. (b). Directs the commissioner, in cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to prepare and disseminate general public awareness materials on the extent of human trafficking in MN and the US and to discourage the exploitation demands.

     Para. (c). Outlines general public awareness materials under paragraph (b).

     Para. (d). Provides that any materials described in this subdivision that contain information on the experiences of individual victims must preserve the victim and victim’s family’s privacy.

     Para. (e). Requires materials to be provided in languages other than English and to be posted on the Internet. Directs the state demographer to report to DPS the languages that are common enough to merit translation.

     Para. (f). Requires all programs to be reviewed periodically.

3         

Report to legislature. Requires the commissioner to report progress under this section to the legislature by December 15th of each year.