Researchers, prosecutors, law‑enforcement task forces and the attorney general briefed the interim Judiciary Committee on Nevada’s human trafficking response and recommended systemic changes to improve survivor outcomes.

Joel Kiser, who authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 3’s outline, said SCR 3 seeks a systems approach, arguing Nevada’s current model is “fragmented systems, diffused responsibility, no single point of accountability” and that success metrics have focused on arrests rather than survivor stability. "SCR 3 is focused on outcomes, and it is meant to look at coordination, ownership, reporting, performance measures," Kiser told the committee.

University researchers (UNR and the Gwynn Center) presented a study focused on commercial sexual exploitation of children in Clark County. Eugenia Weiss and colleagues reported major gaps: no standardized, evidence‑based prevention curricula in K–12 and higher education; data conflation that mixes CSEC with other trafficking data; limited specialized shelter or receiving centers for youth; and high staff turnover among providers. The researchers recommended a statewide human‑trafficking database, mandated education and prevention programs, expanded victim services and dedicated funding for safe receiving centers.

Attorney General Aaron Ford described enforcement efforts and interagency operations: the AG’s investigative division participated in multi‑agency ICAC operations and John‑sting operations and reported dozens of contacts and arrests over the past two years. Ford urged standardized statewide training, additional funding for investigative equipment and rural assistance, and noted the AG’s ombudsman and grants (for example the STOP grant) support victim services.

District attorneys and task forces urged legal reforms to improve prosecutions and protect victims. The Nevada District Attorneys Association recommended expanding statute‑of‑limitations provisions for involuntary servitude, allowing hearsay testimony at preliminary hearings in trafficking cases, and adding undercover‑officer language to trafficking statutes to mirror solicitation statutes. Task forces described proactive undercover approaches that can reduce the need for survivor testimony and urged funding for receiving centers and victim advocates.

DCFS staff described screening practices (Nevada rapid indicator tool), the statewide CSEC coalition and an ongoing regulatory workgroup to license receiving centers; DCFS said it currently lacks direct service capacity to provide residential care and that rulemaking to license receiving centers is underway but will take months.

Committee members pressed presenters for updated statewide data and a timeline for coalition activity; coalition staff said a state coalition meeting would be scheduled soon and that the study findings will inform legislation and operational recommendations. The committee will continue SCR 3 hearings and consider possible bill draft requests for the 2027 legislative session.