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Committee backs bill requiring annual human‑trafficking awareness training for school personnel
Summary
CS/ SB 444 would require school districts to provide annual human‑trafficking awareness training to staff who regularly contact students and to submit district training curricula to the Department of Education for approval; the committee voted to report the bill favorably after testimony from student advocates.
The Committee on Education Pre‑K–12 voted to report favorably CS/ SB 444, a bill that would require school districts to provide annual human‑trafficking awareness training to instructional personnel, school nurses, doctors and other staff who have regular contact with students.
Sponsor Senator Avila said districts or school administrators must annually provide training and obtain an acknowledgement of receipt from personnel. The bill also requires each district to develop a comprehensive training curriculum on human trafficking awareness and submit it to the Department of Education for approval.
Lauren Evans, a law student working on human‑trafficking legal projects, told the committee that Florida is among the states with high trafficking rates and that many verified minor victims remain enrolled in public K–12 schools. "Providing these educators with the tools to identify and help these children is essential," Evans said.
Senator Osgood asked whether the requirement would apply to charter and private schools; the sponsor said it does not currently apply to private schools and that conversations about charter schools were ongoing. Osgood urged extending the requirement to as many school personnel as possible.
The committee reported CS/ SB 444 favorably by roll call.
