HF 463 (LSB 1298YH (6) 91)

HOUSE FILE 463

BY  THOMPSON, FISHER, DIEKEN, THOMSON, BODEN, SIEGRIST, GOLDING, JENEARY, SHIPLEY, FETT, INGELS, DUNWELL, LAWLER, WELDON, CISNEROS, GERHOLD, and YOUNG

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing human trafficking prosecution units.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  13.36  Human trafficking prosecution units.
   1.  Two human trafficking prosecution units are established in the department of justice. The attorney general, in cooperation and coordination with the department of public safety, the office to combat human trafficking established within the department of public safety under section 80.45, and the department of health and human services, shall develop, staff, and equip two multidisciplinary teams to identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking cases and provide care and support for the victims of human trafficking.
   2.  One human trafficking prosecution unit shall serve the western half of the state, and the other human trafficking prosecution unit shall serve the eastern half of the state, with interstate 35 serving as the bisecting line.
   3.  A human trafficking prosecution unit shall include but not be limited to:
   a.  The attorney general, or the attorney general’s designee.
   b.  Criminal investigators from the department of public safety.
   c.  State and local law enforcement representatives.
   d.  Victim services representatives.
   e.  Health care representatives.
   f.  Community organization representatives.
   g.  Survivor advocacy group representatives.
   4.  In addition to the duties set forth in subsection 1, a human trafficking prosecution unit may also conduct training and provide technical assistance to increase community awareness.
   5.  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 a human trafficking prosecution unit.
   The bill provides that two human trafficking prosecution units are established in the department of justice. The attorney general, in cooperation and coordination with the department of public safety, the office to combat human trafficking, and the department of health and human services, shall develop, staff, and equip two multidisciplinary teams to identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking cases and provide care and support for the victims of human trafficking. One human trafficking prosecution unit shall serve the western half of the state, and the other shall serve the eastern half of the state, with interstate 35 serving as the bisecting line.
   The bill provides that a human trafficking prosecution unit shall include but not be limited to: the attorney general, or the attorney general’s designee; criminal investigators from the department of public safety; state and local law enforcement representatives; victim services representatives; health care representatives; community organization representatives; and survivor advocacy group representatives. A human trafficking prosecution unit may also conduct training and provide technical assistance to increase community awareness.
   The bill defines “human trafficking” to mean the same as defined in Code section 710A.1.