CHAPTER 28-B. HUMAN TRAFFICKING

PART I. HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

§2161. Human trafficking victims services plan; children

            A. With respect to children found to be victims of human trafficking, the Department of Children and Family Services, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health, shall develop a plan for the delivery of services to victims of human trafficking. Such plan shall include provisions for:

            (1) Identifying victims of human trafficking in Louisiana.

            (2) Assisting victims of human trafficking with applying for federal and state benefits and services to which they may be entitled.

            (3) Coordinating the delivery of health, mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, victims' compensation, legal, and other services to victims of human trafficking.

            (4) Preparing and disseminating educational and training programs and materials to increase awareness of human trafficking and services available to victims of human trafficking among local departments of social services, public and private agencies and service providers, and the public.

            (5) Referring child victims to the appropriate community-based services for victims of human trafficking.

            (6) Assisting victims of human trafficking with family reunification or return to their place of origin, if the victims so desire.

            B. In developing the plan, the departments shall work together with such other state and federal agencies, public and private entities, and other stakeholders as they deem appropriate.

            C.(1) Each private entity that provides services to victims pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report on their operations including information on the services offered, geographic areas served, the number of persons served, and individual status updates on each person served. This information shall not include the name, address, or other identifying information of the person served. The governor's office of human trafficking prevention shall compile the data from all of the reports submitted pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection and shall provide this information to the legislature on or before the first day of February each year.

            (2) Each statewide and local law enforcement entity that investigates cases of human trafficking or related sexual offenses and that provides services to victims pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report on their operations including information on type of investigation, outcome of the investigation, and any services offered to victims, and demographic information related to the case and services offered.

            (3) Each district attorney who prosecutes cases of human trafficking or related sexual offenses or who provides services to victims pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall submit to the governor's office of human trafficking prevention and to the Department of Children and Family Services an annual report on their operations including the prosecuting agency's name, parish, disposition of case, statute under which the offense was prosecuted, sentencing date, restitution ordered, restitution paid, value of assets from civil asset forfeiture, and any services offered to victims.

            Acts 2013, No. 429, §2, eff. June 24, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 564, §4; Acts 2021, No. 352, §2, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2023, No. 386, §2.