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Committee advances bill to align state procurement with federal anti‑trafficking standards
Summary
AB 381 would update California procurement rules to require clearer definitions, contractor certifications and corrective steps to prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains; sponsors said it harmonizes state practice with existing federal guidance.
Assemblymember Stephanie presented AB 381, the Human Trafficking Procurement Prevention Act, asking the committee to update California’s public procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in the state’s supply chains. She said California spends nearly $19 billion on purchasing and contracts and that state procurement rules have not been updated since 2007.
Professor Stephanie Richard of the Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative (sponsor) testified the bill mirrors federal standards adopted in 2016 and offers concrete definitions and compliance steps that contractors and subcontractors would be required to follow, including certification of compliance plans and procedures for corrective action if trafficking is identified in a supply chain. Local governments and labor groups testified in support.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about potential interactions with prison labor; Richard said the bill mirrors federal standards and would not classify constitutionally permitted prison work products as forced labor. The committee voted to pass AB 381 to the Assembly Committee on Labor.
