This week in our House health committees we debated a pair of topics that many Minnesotans rarely discuss: palliative care and human trafficking.
For people who are dealing with chronic illnesses or potential end-of-life issues, palliative care can be very helpful. This type of care centers on easing the symptoms a patient is dealing with and trying to help them craft treatment plans so they can live a better life. Because many don’t have access to these programs, our committee approved legislation recently that creates a Palliative Care Advisory Committee to look for solutions and advise the health commissioner on its findings.
We learned that palliative care not only assists families and individuals with their health crisis, but it can also lead to more infrequent hospital visits. I’m pleased this legislation is moving forward.
A pair of bills addressing human trafficking are also making progress. The first allocates $2.3 million in critical state investments for safe shelter and supportive services for sexually exploited youth, training for law enforcement and other frontline personnel, and statewide infrastructure to connect child sex trafficking victims to services.
In 2011, Minnesota established a “Safe Harbor” law which prevents sexually trafficked children aged 18 and younger from facing criminal charges due to their exploitation. But more funding is needed to address this growing problem.
The second proposal would allocate $75,000 allowing the Department of Health to contract for a strategic plan that offers solutions on how to address adult trafficking, with the goal of offering more formal legislation next year.
Lawmakers will face challenges concerning adults who are trafficked without a plan. If we pass legislation to decriminalize adult trafficking, a key element of current Safe Harbor Law, there is a concern that prostitution may be decriminalized as well. Stakeholders from law enforcement to social services and advocacy groups will be working on this project in the coming year, and I’m confident the concerns will be alleviated and needed legislation will be brought forward.
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.