Legislators were told that Vermont’s ability to track human trafficking declined after a prior multi-agency task force dissolved and its reporting obligations lapsed.

"When we were all sharing our data together, we had somewhere close to 400 reports of trafficking," Lieutenant Mike Student said. "So now that we're down to only 42 reports from these 3 agencies, we know we're missing out on quite a bit." He attributed the decline to the end of a Department of Justice grant that had supported the task force and its reporting requirements.

Members asked whether the loss of mandatory reporting by service providers has led to data that undercounts victims and incidents. Student said the current figures reflect a law-enforcement lens — data from DCF, HSI and state police — and that missing service-provider reports make it impossible to see the full scope.

Committee members and Student discussed possible fixes, including a permanent coordinating body, statutory reporting requirements, and restoring or funding positions the task force once supported. Student said a mechanism that could require participation and data sharing would improve evidence, help prioritize prosecutions and inform where investments in case management and housing should go.

The chair signaled legislative interest in following up on resource and reporting proposals; Student said he would be available for additional briefings and one-on-one conversations.