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Committee gives due pass to bill clarifying immunity for human‑trafficking reports
Summary
House Bill 1308, which clarifies immunity for people who report suspected human‑trafficking and provides training, received a due‑pass recommendation from the Human Services Committee after discussion of disciplinary exceptions for regulated professions and title language about continuing appropriations.
The House Human Services Committee voted to give House Bill 1308 a due pass after hearing testimony about clarifying legal protections for people who report suspected human trafficking.
Jason Wall of the Department of Health and Human Services and multiple committee members discussed the bill's language that would protect reporters from liability except when the reporter's actions would violate a professional ethics rule or privilege, such as attorney–client confidentiality. Committee members asked whether regulated professions — doctors, lawyers, and teachers — were meant to be included in the statutory protections and whether disciplinary rules could still apply when a reporting duty conflicted with professional ethics.
The bill contains training provisions and a requirement for reporting and oversight through an existing human‑trafficking commission. Committee members noted the commission exists and has previously produced reports.
Representative Anderson moved a due pass, and the committee approved the motion by roll call with the clerk recording unanimous support on that vote. Representative Davis volunteered to carry the bill on the floor.
The committee asked staff and sponsors to clarify title language and the interplay between mandated reporting protections and existing professional ethics rules before floor action.
