Committee recommends against bill mandating specific trafficking training hours for law enforcement

The Senate Judiciary Committee considered legislation that would require specific training hours on human trafficking for law enforcement. Senator Tom Paulson, sponsor of the bill, described gaps he believed existed in continuing education and argued for an ongoing, continuing-education requirement to keep awareness and response skills current.

Senator Meerdahl and other members reported that the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the AG’s office had provided the committee with training curricula and materials showing that officers receive trafficking-related instruction during initial officer certification and ongoing programs. "They have a lot of things they have to train on," the sponsor said after reviewing materials; Senator Meerdahl said BCI reported about two or more hours or an existing victim-focused module in the post-training curriculum and felt the AG’s office already addresses many training elements the bill would mandate.

Opponents argued the bill risked micromanaging AG training standards and might duplicate or conflict with existing mandatory training processes. Supporters said continuing education and a refresh of training are valuable; Senator Paulson stressed that continuing education keeps sensitive topics fresh for officers who have many required topics in initial academy instruction and later may not recall all of them.

After discussion the committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass on SB 2220, while several members and witnesses emphasized support for the bill’s goals to protect trafficking victims and improve awareness.