Senate Judiciary backs study on human trafficking victim services and reentry

The Senate Judiciary Committee on a voice vote recommended House Concurrent Resolution 3028 for a due-pass, advancing a legislative study on human trafficking victim services, workforce reentry and protections for survivors.

Representative Steve Vetter, R‑District 18 of Grand Forks, introduced the resolution and told the committee the study has three goals: provide up‑to‑date information to legislators about victim services, examine programs that help survivors reenter the workforce and evaluate ways to protect survivors from returning captors. “The study is to propose a study on the subject of human trafficking,” Vetter said, adding the research should produce “better bill draft ideas to help this issue along.”

Why this matters: Witnesses and providers said legislators lack a clear statewide picture of services and outcomes, and that gaps in reentry support — from basic life skills to housing — can prevent…