Pilar Schiavo

Existing law generally provides for the regulation of law enforcement agencies. Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and charges it with, among other duties, developing and disseminating guidelines and training for all peace officers in this state. Existing law requires POST to develop and implement a course of instruction for the training of law enforcement officers on the handling of human trafficking complaints, as specified.

This bill would require each law enforcement agency with more than 25 peace officers to designate at least one human trafficking victim support coordinator by January 1, 2028. The bill would require the coordinator to take the above-described course of instruction no later than 6 months after designation and, upon completion of the course, serve as a liaison between trusted community-based organizations and victims. The bill would require each law enforcement agency to, by July 1, 2028, display specified information on their internet website, including specified contact information of any human trafficking victim support coordinators. By imposing new requirements on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.