SF 2082 (LSB 5128SS (2) 86)

SENATE FILE 2082

BY  KINNEY

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing an office within the department of public safety to oversee efforts to combat human trafficking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  80.45  Office to combat human trafficking.
   1.  An office to combat human trafficking is established within the department. The purpose of the office is to oversee and coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking in this state.
   2.  The commissioner shall appoint a coordinator to staff the office. Additional staff may be hired, subject to the availability of funding.
   3.  The office shall do all of the following:
   a.  Serve as a point of contact for anti-human trafficking activity in this state.
   b.  Consult with and work jointly with other governmental agencies and nongovernmental or community organizations that have expertise in the areas of human trafficking prevention, victim protection and assistance, law enforcement, and prosecution for the purpose of combatting human trafficking in this state.
   c.  Develop a strategy to collect and maintain criminal history data on incidents related to human trafficking.
   d.  Develop a strategy for sharing victim and offender data among governmental agencies.
   e.  Apply for or assist other governmental agencies, as assistance is needed, to apply for grants to support human trafficking enforcement, prosecutions, trainings, and victim services.
   f.  Research and recommend trainings to assist governmental agencies to identify and respond appropriately to human trafficking victims.
   g.  Take other steps necessary to advance the purposes of the office.
   4.  For purposes of this section, “human trafficking” means the same as defined in section 710A.1.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes an office within the department of public safety to oversee and coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking in this state.
   The bill directs the commissioner of public safety to appoint a coordinator to staff the office. Additional staff may be hired, subject to the availability of funding.
   The bill provides that the office shall serve as a point of contact for anti-human trafficking activity in Iowa. The office shall also consult with and work jointly with other governmental agencies and nongovernmental or community organizations that have expertise in the areas of human trafficking prevention, victim protection and assistance, law enforcement, and prosecution to combat human trafficking in the state. The office shall develop strategies to collect and maintain criminal history data on incidents related to human trafficking and to share victim and offender data among governmental agencies. The office shall apply for or assist other governmental agencies, as assistance is needed, to apply for grants to support human trafficking enforcement, prosecutions, trainings, and victim services. The office shall research and recommend trainings to assist governmental agencies to identify and respond appropriately to human trafficking victims. The office shall take other steps necessary to oversee and coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking in Iowa.