Committee hears bill to require school curriculum on human trafficking and prevention

Senator Susan Weber opened testimony on Senate Bill 107, which would require the Office of Public Instruction to develop instruction and activities for middle- and high-school students to identify and avoid human trafficking. "It requires OPI to develop instruction for middle school and high school students to identify and avoid human trafficking," she told the committee.

Proponents stressed prevention and the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities. Ria Bahadur, the bill author, told lawmakers students are at particular risk and described national and state trends she said underscore the need for education. Amani Kindness Coleman of the Montana Budget and Policy Center cited Montana Department of Justice figures showing a rise from 7 cases in 2015 to 143 in 2023 and urged preventive measures.

Tribal advocates and organizations, including Western Native Voice, emphasized the tie between trafficking and the ongoing missing and murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) crisis and urged culturally informed curriculum and resources. The ACLU of Montana also testified in favor, saying schools can connect victims to services and serve a preventive role.

Committee members asked why OPI and DOJ were not present in large numbers and whether there were cost implications; the sponsor said modules align with ongoing work and noted federal funding sources may be available to supplement development costs. No opponents were recorded in the transcript for SB107, and the hearing concluded with the sponsor seeking a do-pass recommendation.