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HB 2368

An Act providing for standardized human trafficking screening and intervention protocols in health care facilities; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and providing for training and enforcement.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danilo Burgos and 12 co-sponsors

Requires standardized trauma-informed human trafficking screening in health care, with training, referrals, and DOH oversight for compliance and reporting.

Referred to Health
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Bill Summary · HB 2368

Summary: Health Care Human Trafficking Screening and Intervention Act (HB 2368, 2025-2026, Pennsylvania)

Purpose and intent

HB 2368 would require standardized screening and intervention protocols for human trafficking in health care facilities in Pennsylvania. The act aims to ensure trauma-informed identification, safe interviewing, referrals to services, and alignment with patient safety preferences, while establishing duties for the Department of Health (DOH) to develop protocols, provide training, and oversee enforcement.

Key provisions

  • Standardized protocols (Section 3)

    • The Pennsylvania Department of Health must develop and publish standardized human trafficking screening and intervention protocols within 180 days of the bill’s effective date.
    • Protocol contents include:
    • Evidence-based, trauma-informed screening questions.
    • Requirements for health care providers to interview patients alone in a secure environment when trafficking is suspected.
    • A standardized referral process to community-based victim service providers and legal resources.
    • Immediate safety steps if a patient does not wish to involve law enforcement.

  • Training requirements (Section 4)

    • All clinical and patient-facing staff at health care facilities must complete an initial training on the protocols within 90 days of hire.
    • Staff must complete a continuing education course on the protocols every two years.
    • DOH is responsible for developing the training and ongoing education programs.

  • Enforcement and reporting (Section 5)

    • DOH can verify compliance with the act during routine facility inspections.
    • Facilities must annually report de-identified data to DOH on the number of screenings performed and referrals made related to human trafficking.
    • DOH must submit an annual report to the General Assembly with the collected data.

  • Definitions and scope (Section 2)

    • Applies to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and community health care centers—i.e., health care facilities with direct patient contact.
    • Uses established definitions of human trafficking (per 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001) and trauma-informed care.

  • Effective date (Section 6)

    • The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Health care facilities: Hospitals (emergency departments), urgent care centers, and community health care centers must adopt protocols and ensure staff compliance with training and reporting requirements.
  • Health care staff: Clinicians and patient-facing personnel bear training and ongoing education obligations.
  • Department of Health: Responsible for developing protocols, creating training materials, enforcing compliance, and compiling annual data reports to the General Assembly.

Potential impact

  • Improves early identification and safe, trauma-informed response to human trafficking victims in health care settings.
  • Establishes standardized practices for interviewing patients, safeguarding, and referrals to services and legal resources.
  • Creates a data-driven mechanism to monitor screening and referral activity and inform policy discussions via annual reporting.
  • Adds a structured training cadence for health care staff, potentially increasing consistency and quality of care for trafficking survivors.

Note: The bill is introduced and referred to the Health Committee; its final form and provisions could change during the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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