§ 46:2162 — Assistance to victims of human trafficking

Louisiana § 46:2162

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 46: Public Welfare and Assistance

Text

§2162. Assistance to victims of human trafficking
A. Classification of victims of human trafficking. As soon as practicable after the
initial encounter with a person who reasonably appears to a law enforcement agency, a
district attorney's office, or the office of the attorney general to be a victim of human
trafficking, such agency or office shall:
(1) Notify the Louisiana Victim Outreach of the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections that such person may be eligible for services under this Chapter.
(2) Make a preliminary assessment of whether such victim or possible victim of
human trafficking appears to meet the criteria for certification as a victim of a severe form
of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (22 U.S.C. 7101
et seq.) or appears to be otherwise eligible for any federal, state, or local benefits and
services.
(a) If it is determined that the victim or possible victim appears to meet such criteria,
then the agency or office shall report the finding to the victim and shall refer the child victim
to appropriate services available, including legal services providers.
(b) If the victim or possible victim is under the age of eighteen or is an adult in need
of protective services pursuant to the provisions of the Adult Protective Services Act, the
agency or office shall also notify the appropriate protective service agency.
B. Law enforcement assistance with respect to immigration.
(1) After the agency or office makes a preliminary assessment pursuant to Paragraph
(A)(2) of this Section that a victim or possible victim of human trafficking appears to meet
the criteria for certification as a victim of a severe form of trafficking as defined in the
federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and upon the request of such victim, the agency
or office shall provide the victim or possible victim of human trafficking with a completed
and executed United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-914,
Supplement B, Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for Victim of Human Trafficking
in Persons, or a USCIS Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification,
or both. These forms shall be completed by the certifying officer in accordance with the
forms' instructions and applicable rules and regulations.
(2) The victim or possible victim of human trafficking may choose which form to
have the certifying officer complete.

Legislative History

Acts 2013, No. 429, §2, eff. June 24, 2013; Acts 2024, No 576, §2.