§ 46:2161 — Human trafficking victims services plan; children

§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.

Legislative History

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.