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Montana bill would require schools to teach middle and high school students how to spot and avoid human trafficking
Summary
Sen. Susan Webber introduced SB 107 to direct the Office of Public Instruction to develop middle- and high-school curriculum on identifying and avoiding human trafficking. Supporters cited rising trafficking cases and called the measure a preventive step; OPI said it already offers materials and would expand resources.
Senator Susan Webber told the House of Education committee she is sponsoring Senate Bill 107 to require the Office of Public Instruction to develop instruction and curriculum for middle and high school students to identify and avoid human trafficking.
Webber framed SB 107 as a preventive measure and described prior state and federal efforts on missing and murdered Indigenous people and trafficking. She said the bill would give students, teachers and parents tools to recognize grooming and other warning signs and to seek resources rather than treating the issue solely as criminal justice work.
Proponents who testified said education can reduce risk. Patrick Kawaki, speaking for Blackfeet, Fort Belknap and Chippewa Cree communities, described human traffickers targeting youth and urged a 'due pass.' Katie Bloodgood, legislative liaison for the Office of Public Instruction, said OPI already provides materials and partnerships (including with the Department of Justice) and would expand and formalize those resources under the bill.
Imani Kindness Coleman of the Montana Budget and Policy Center cited state data saying the Montana Department of Justice recorded an increase from 7 cases in 2015 to 143 in 2023, which she described in testimony as a 1,900 percent increase, and argued that school-based prevention could help protect vulnerable youth and complement MMIP efforts.
Committee members asked OPI how the shift from permissive language to a 'shall' would be implemented. Bloodgood replied OPI interprets the bill as requiring the agency to develop and make curriculum available but not to commandeer districts; she said many materials already exist and OPI has partnered with DOJ on curriculum development.
The sponsor closed by asking the committee for a due pass. The committee closed the hearing on SB 107 with no recorded vote.
Next steps: SB 107 was heard and the sponsor requested a due pass; the committee took no formal vote on the bill during this session.
