Senate committee hears HB 1308 to establish Human Trafficking Commission, expand training and reporting immunity

The Senate Workforce Development Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1308, a bill that would direct the attorney general to establish a Human Trafficking Commission, authorize certain regulated occupations and professions to accept human-trafficking training for continuing-education credit, and provide immunity from civil liability for individuals who report suspected human trafficking in good faith. The committee took testimony but did not vote on the bill at the hearing.

Sponsor Representative Bernie Satrim of District 12 told the committee the measure’s aim is “more eyes, more educated eyes on the problem,” by adding human trafficking to continuing-education topics for regulated professionals so they can better identify and report trafficking. “If you’re a regulated individual, or occupation, that requires continuing education ... we’d like to have human trafficking be a topic for consideration,” Satrim said.

Supporters from nonprofits and faith groups described outreach, rescue and prevention work and urged the committee to pass the bill. Pastor Mark Irmin Trout, community engagement…