House Bill 744

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE CENTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION AS THE LEAD ORGANIZATION TO FACILITATE A VICTIM-CENTERED, COLLABORATIVE,

STATEWIDE RESPONSE TO VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AS WELL AS

MISSING, RUNAWAY, AND ENDANGERED CHILDREN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, in response to the recommendations of the Human Trafficking Task Force created by Executive Order 1349 revealing that human trafficking is occurring in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the common risk factors that result in vulnerability to trafficking are pervasive in Mississippi, including poverty, lack of education, lack of family support, and running away from home; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is ranked 49th in the nation for child homelessness, meaning a high number of runaway children are living on the street; and

WHEREAS, runaway children are extremely vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, once involved in human trafficking, child and adult victims may actively recruit others in schools, children's homes, foster care, and detention centers; and

WHEREAS, currently in Mississippi, child and adult victims are being housed in detention centers, children's shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other inappropriate places; and

WHEREAS, currently there is no designated shelter and there are no services that specifically address the unique needs of human trafficking victims; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Center for Violence Prevention shall facilitate a victim-centered, collaborative, statewide response to victims of human trafficking, as well as missing, runaway, and endangered children.

(2) Responsibilities of the Center for Violence Prevention will include:

(a) Implementing a coordinated and comprehensive plan to provide human trafficking victims with necessary services, including emergency screening, therapeutic intervention, trauma-informed advocacy and case management, and placement recommendations;

(b) Assisting in missing, runaway, and endangered children cases;

(d) Establishing and implementing regional rapid response teams, which shall include members of law enforcement, sexual assault nurse examiners, and victim advocates to assess, investigate, and screen for health and forensic evidence;

(e) Overseeing operational law enforcement task forces consisting of members of local and regional law enforcement, investigative services, detectives, and other personnel needed for investigations;

(f) Fostering collaboration and coordination among governmental and nongovernmental agencies and service providers to improve the state's capacity for identifying victims of human trafficking and providing safety and services for those victims;

(g) Operating a statewide human trafficking hotline;

(h) Collecting and evaluating data on human trafficking in Mississippi and submitting reports to the Legislature as requested; and

(i) Conducting other appropriate activities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.