With the passage of this bill, law enforcement has new guidance for supporting children impacted by sexual exploitation.
HB 1775 removes criminal penalties for children or youth engaged in prostitution and establishes two state resource facilities for sexually trafficked children and youth aged 18 or younger. When a law enforcement officer takes a juvenile into custody because the officer reasonably believes the juvenile is a victim of sexual exploitation, the officer must transport the juvenile (or coordinate transportation) to an evaluation and treatment facility, including a receiving center, for an evaluation for behavioral health treatment.
HB 1775 passed both the House and Senate and is now headed to the Governor for signature.