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SLS 26RS-147 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 83
BY SENATOR EDMONDS
SCHOOLS. Provides for training to prevent human trafficking at public elementary and
secondary schools and provides for victims' services. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 46:51(16), 2161, and 2161.1 and
3 Children's Code Art. 610(A)(4)(b) and (E)(4) and to enact R.S. 17:419.5,
4 3996(B)(92), R.S. 46:51(16)(c), and Children's Code Art. 508.1, relative to human
5 trafficking; to require each city, parish or other local public school board to adopt a
6 policy to provide for training with respect to the prevention of human trafficking; to
7 provide for training to identify victims; to provide for designation of certain school
8 employees for certain purposes; to provide for assistance and services for child
9 victims of human trafficking; to provide for procedures; to provide for
10 investigations; to provide for reporting; to provide for definitions; to provide for an
11 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
12 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
13 Section 1. R.S. 17:419.5 and 3996(B)(92) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
14 §419.5. Human trafficking prevention; training in elementary and secondary
15 schools
16 A. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each city, parish, or other
17 local public school board shall adopt a policy on human trafficking victim
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1 identification and reporting and require each school to designate at least one
2 employee to receive annual advanced training on human trafficking. The
3 designated school employee shall be a school counselor, mental health
4 professional, or a school administrator.
5 B. The training instruction shall be administered to designated
6 employees by live, in-person training or by an online course. The state
7 Department of Education, in conjunction with the governor's office of human
8 trafficking, shall provide information on available training curriculums to
9 school boards. The training instruction shall at minimum define the crime of
10 human trafficking, differentiate between the types of human trafficking,
11 recognize common indicators of human trafficking, discuss barriers and best
12 practices for victim identification, reinforce reporting requirements, and review
13 resources and services that are available to human trafficking victims in this
14 state.
15 C. A record of the designated employees and the completion of the course
16 shall be retained by each school. Each city, parish, or other local public school
17 board shall document and verify that each school is in compliance with this
18 Section.
19 * * *
20 §3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
21 * * *
22 B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and
23 except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a
24 charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this
25 Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be
26 exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are
27 applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for
28 the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:
29 * * *
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1 (92) Human trafficking prevention training, R.S. 17:419.5.
2 * * *
3 Section 2. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 46:51(16), 2161, and 2161.1 are
4 hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 46:51(16)(c) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
5 §51. Duties of the department
6 * * *
7 (16) Make care coordination and advocacy services available for child
8 victims of child sex human trafficking as follows:
9 * * *
10 (c) Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions shall apply to
11 this Section:
12 (i) "Child" means a person who is under the age of eighteen years of age.
13 (ii)"Human trafficking" means the perpetration or attempted
14 perpetration of the trafficking of children for sexual purposes, pursuant to R.S.
15 14:46.3, trafficking related to commercial sexual activity, pursuant to R.S.
16 14:46.2.
17 * * *
18 §2161. Human trafficking victims; services plan; children
19 A. With respect to children found to be victims of human trafficking, the
20 Department of Children and Family Services, in conjunction with the Louisiana
21 Department of Health, shall develop a plan for the delivery of a child is eligible for
22 specialized services to for victims of human trafficking.
23 (1) The child shall be reported to the Louisiana Department of Children
24 and Family Services reporting hotline, in accordance with Children's Code
25 Article 610(A)(4)(b). The department shall make available care coordination
26 and advocacy services to serve the child victim of human trafficking, pursuant
27 to R.S. 46:51(16).
28 (2) State agencies with custodial care of children shall ensure that a child
29 in their care who is determined to be a victim of human trafficking shall have
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1 full access to care coordination and advocacy services.
2 B. Such plan services for victims of human trafficking shall include
3 provisions for:
4 (1) Identifying victims of human trafficking in Louisiana.
5 (2) Assisting victims of human trafficking with applying for federal and state
6 benefits and services to which they may be entitled.
7 (3) Coordinating the delivery of health, mental health, housing, education, job
8 training, child care, victims' compensation, legal, and other services to victims of
9 human trafficking.
10 (4) Preparing and disseminating educational and training programs and
11 materials to increase awareness of human trafficking and services available to
12 victims of human trafficking among local departments of social services, public and
13 private agencies and service providers, and the public.
14 (5) Referring child victims to the appropriate community-based services for
15 victims of human trafficking.
16 (6) Assisting victims of human trafficking with family reunification or return
17 to their place of origin, if the victims so desire.
18 BC. In developing the plan, a comprehensive strategy to prevent human
19 trafficking and address the needs of human trafficking victims, the governor's
20 office of human trafficking shall coordinate with the departments Department of
21 Children and Family Services and the office of juvenile justice, and shall work
22 together with such other state and federal agencies, public and private entities, and
23 other stakeholders as they deem appropriate.
24 CD.(1) Each private entity that provides services to victims pursuant to the
25 provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking
26 prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report
27 on their operations including information on the services offered, geographic areas
28 served, the number of persons served, and individual status updates on each person
29 served. This information shall not include the name, address, or other identifying
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1 information of the person served. The governor's office of human trafficking
2 prevention shall compile the data from all of the reports submitted pursuant to the
3 provisions of this Subsection and shall provide this information to the legislature on
4 or before the first day of February each year.
5 (2) Each statewide and local law enforcement entity that investigates cases
6 of human trafficking or related sexual offenses and that provides services to victims
7 pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of
8 human trafficking prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services
9 an annual report on their operations including information on type of investigation,
10 outcome of the investigation, and any services offered to victims, and demographic
11 information related to the case and services offered and any additional information
12 as requested.
13 (3) Each district attorney who prosecutes cases of human trafficking or
14 related sexual offenses or who provides services to victims pursuant to the provisions
15 of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking prevention
16 and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report on their
17 operations including the prosecuting agency's name, parish, disposition of case,
18 statute under which the offense was prosecuted, sentencing date, restitution ordered,
19 restitution paid, value of assets from civil asset forfeiture, and any services offered
20 to victims, and any additional information as requested.
21 §2161.1. Human trafficking victims services plan; adults
22 A. With respect to any person referred to the Department of Children and
23 Family Services who is eighteen years of age or older and who is found to be a
24 victim of human trafficking in which the trafficking activity included commercial
25 sexual activity or any sexual conduct constituting a crime under the laws of this state,
26 the department shall refer the person shall be provided information on any
27 treatment or specialized services for human trafficking victims or referred to
28 the appropriate department, agency, or entity to provide the person with the
29 following:
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1 (1) Assistance in applying for federal, and state, and other benefits and
2 services to which the victim may be entitled.
3 (2) Coordination of the delivery of health care, mental health care, housing,
4 education, job training, child care, victims' compensation, legal, and other services
5 available to victims of human trafficking, including or sex trafficking.
6 (3) Referral to the appropriate community-based services to the extent that
7 such services are available.
8 (4) Assistance with family reunification or returning to the victim's victim
9 to their place of origin, if the victim so desires.
10 B. In coordinating these services for the victim, the department The
11 governor's office of human trafficking shall work together with such other state
12 and federal agencies, public and private entities, and other stakeholders as they deem
13 appropriate to implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent human trafficking
14 and address the needs of human trafficking victims.
15 C.(1) Each private entity that provides services to victims pursuant to the
16 provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking
17 prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report
18 on their operations including information on the services offered, training or
19 certifications received specific to human trafficking, geographic areas served, the
20 number of persons served, and individual status updates on each person served. This
21 information shall not include the name, address, or other identifying information of
22 the person served. The governor's office of human trafficking prevention shall
23 compile the data from all of the reports submitted pursuant to the provisions of this
24 Subsection and shall provide this information to the legislature on or before the first
25 day of February each year.
26 (2) Each statewide and local law enforcement entity that investigates cases
27 of human trafficking or related sexual offenses and that provides services to victims
28 pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of
29 human trafficking prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services
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1 an annual report on their operations including information on the type of
2 investigation, the outcome of the investigation, and any services offered to victims,
3 and any demographic information related to the case and services offered, and any
4 additional information as requested.
5 (3) Each district attorney who prosecutes cases of human trafficking or
6 related sexual offenses or who provides services to victims pursuant to the provisions
7 of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking prevention
8 and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report on their
9 operations including the prosecuting agency's name, parish, disposition of case,
10 statute under which the offense was prosecuted, sentencing date, restitution ordered,
11 restitution paid, value of assets from civil asset forfeiture, and any services offered
12 to victims, and any additional information requested.
13 Section 3. Children's Code Art. 610(A)(4)(b) and (E)(4) are hereby amended and
14 reenacted and Children's Code Art.508.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
15 Art. 508.1. Multidisciplinary investigative team; care coordination
16 A. Care coordination teams shall comply with the rules of
17 multidisciplinary investigative teams in accordance with this Part.
18 B. Care coordination teams are responsible for the investigation and
19 multidisciplinary coordination of child trafficking cases, accepted by the team
20 in compliance with the team’s protocols. Each team shall develop and institute
21 interagency protocols in accordance with Article 510 of this Part.
22 C.(1) A care coordination team may obtain all information necessary to
23 perform its official duties from any public agency, department or other
24 organization, including material otherwise made confidential or privileged. Any
25 confidential or privileged material or verbal information obtained by a team
26 member during an investigation shall be disclosed only as necessary to other
27 team members, and shall not be disclosed to any agency or individual not
28 represented on the multidisciplinary team unless otherwise required by law.
29 (2) Any public or private department, agency, or organization may share
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1 with a care coordination entity all information that is made confidential by law
2 when it is needed to provide or secure services under this Chapter. Confidential
3 information shared with or provided to a care coordination entity remains the
4 property of the providing organization.
5 D. "Care coordination entity" or "care coordination team" means
6 entities that are authorized by Department of Children and Family Services
7 through a procurement contract to provide care coordination services and
8 specialized multidisciplinary teams for victims of human trafficking, pursuant
9 to R.S. 46:51.
10 * * *
11 Art. 610. Reporting procedure; reports to the legislature and the United States
12 Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program
13 A. * * *
14 (4) Reports to the department shall be made as follows:
15 * * *
16 (b) If a report involves alleged sex human trafficking, all mandatory
17 reporters shall report via the hotline telephone number to the department regardless
18 of whether there is alleged parental or caretaker culpability.
19 * * *
20 E. * * *
21 (4) The department shall communicate as soon as possible all reports
22 involving alleged child victims of sex human trafficking to the Louisiana State
23 Police for referral to the appropriate local law enforcement agency for investigation
24 or other action as appropriate.
25 * * *
26 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
27 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
28 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
29 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
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1 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SB 83 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Edmonds
Proposed law provides that, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each city, parish or
other local public school board and each public charter school board is to adopt a policy for
human trafficking victim prevention, identification, reporting, and assistance for victims.
Proposed law requires that each public school designate a school counselor or school
administrator to receive advanced annual training on human trafficking prevention.
Proposed law provides that the training may be in-person or online and the La. Dept. of
Education, in conjunction with the governor's office of human trafficking, shall provide
information on available training curriculums to school boards. Proposed law provides that
the training instruction is to help identify victims and available resources and assistance.
Proposed law requires that the designated school employee and the completion of training
requirements be retained by each school and reported to the school boards for both
traditional public schools and public charter schools.
Proposed law changes the term "sex trafficking" to "human trafficking".
Proposed law defines "human trafficking" as trafficking of children for sexual purposes and
trafficking related to commercial sexual activity.
Present law provides that the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), in conjunction
with the La. Dept. of Health (LDH), is to develop a plan for the delivery of services to
children who are victims of human trafficking. The plan shall include coordinating the
delivery of education, health care, housing, government benefits, and specialized services
for victims of human trafficking.
Proposed law transfers from DCFS and LDH to the governor's office of human trafficking
the task of developing a comprehensive strategy to prevent human trafficking and address
the needs of human trafficking victims.
Proposed law requires care coordination teams handling child trafficking cases to comply
with multidisciplinary investigative team rules and to develop interagency protocols for case
coordination. Proposed law defines "care coordination teams" as those authorized by the
DCFS to provide specialized multidisciplinary services to victims of human trafficking.
Proposed law provides that care coordination teams are authorized to obtain confidential and
privileged information from public and private entities as necessary to perform their duties,
while limiting disclosure of such information to team members unless otherwise required
by law. Proposed law further provides that entities may share otherwise confidential
information with care coordination teams for service provision purposes and that such
information remains the property of the originating entity.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 46:51(16)(intro para), 2161, and 2161.1 and Ch.C. Art. 610(A)(4)(b) and
(E)(4); adds R.S. 17:419.5, 3996(B)(92), R.S. 46:51(16)(c), and Ch.C.Art.508.1)
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Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Adds care coordination teams.
2. Makes technical changes.
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the
engrossed bill
1. Remove extended victim advocacy services from young adults who are
between 18 and 21 years of age.
2. Remove definition of "youth".
3. Remove debt bondage and labor trafficking from definition of "human
trafficking".
4. Make technical changes.
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