Treat Trafficking Of Children As Child Abuse

The act amends the statutory definition of 'child abuse or neglect' to include any case in which a child is subjected to human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude.

If a county department of human or social services (county department) assessment concludes that a child has been a victim of abuse or neglect involving human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, it shall, when necessary and appropriate, immediately offer social services to the child and to his or her family, and the county department may file a petition in court on behalf of the child. If a county department has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of human trafficking, the county department shall notify a local law enforcement agency. In instances of third-party abuse or neglect as it relates to human trafficking, a county department may, but is not required to, interview the person alleged to be the perpetrator or prepare an investigative report. If the county department elects to interview the alleged perpetrator, it shall first confer with the local law enforcement agency.

The department of human services and each county department shall implement a uniform screening tool that includes questions that are intended to identify children who are victims of human trafficking for sexual servitude or commercial sexual exploitation of a child, or who are at risk of being such victims.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)