WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1018

Human trafficking: specialized license plates.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shannon Grove

Creates a state Survivors of Human Trafficking License Plate Fund funded by specialized plate revenue to support survivor-led grants and direct services via OES.

Set for hearing April 21.
#humantrafficking #specializedlicenseplates
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1018

Summary of SB 1018 (2025-2026) – California

Purpose and Intent

SB 1018, as amended, proposes to create a state program to raise awareness of human trafficking and provide direct support for survivors. The bill designates the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to administer a survivors of human trafficking grant program funded by a new specialized license plate and a dedicated fund. It builds on existing specialized license plate structures and earmarks revenues for survivor-focused services.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • New designations and program creation

    • Establishes the Survivors of Human Trafficking License Plate Fund in the State Treasury.
    • Creates a human trafficking awareness license plate program administered by the OES, sponsored by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

  • Funding and revenue allocation

    • Imposes additional fees (per the existing process for specialized plates) for issuance, renewal, or transfer of the new license plates.
    • After deducting DMV administrative costs, all revenue from these plates is deposited into the Survivors of Human Trafficking License Plate Fund.
    • Funds, upon Legislature appropriation, are allocated to the OES to support the survivors of human trafficking grant program.

  • Grants and administration

    • OES must administer a grant program benefiting survivors of human trafficking.
    • Grants are to be awarded to community-based organizations that:
    • Are led by survivors or guided by substantial survivor input.
    • Provide direct services to vulnerable individuals in regions with high trafficking activity.
    • Grants should reflect balanced regional distribution.

  • Reporting requirements

    • Beginning no later than January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, OES must report to the Legislature on:
    • Amounts received into the Survivors of Human Trafficking License Plate Fund.
    • Amounts awarded in grants and the identities of recipients.
    • Reports must comply with Government Code § 9795.

  • Donations

    • The DMV may accept donations to the Survivor License Plate Fund on its website without requiring purchase of the plate.

  • Terminology and citation

    • The act would be known as Blair and Kendra’s Law.

Affected Parties

  • State agencies
    • Office of Emergency Services (OES) – primary administrator of the grant program and fund.
    • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – administers the specialized plate program and deposits revenue into the new fund.
  • Nonprofit and community-based organizations
    • Eligible grantees include survivor-led organizations and groups with strong survivor input, serving vulnerable individuals in high-trafficking areas.
  • Survivors of human trafficking
    • Beneficiaries of grants funding direct services and support services.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Program establishment and funding flow
    • Requires DMV sponsorship of the license plate program; proceeds fund OES grants.
  • Reporting timeline
    • Annual reporting to the Legislature starting by January 1, 2028.
  • Effective name and statutory references
    • Referred to as Blair and Kendra’s Law within the Penal Code and Vehicle Code amendments.

Fiscal Impact

  • The bill does not create an appropriation by itself but specifies that the fund be established and revenue directed to OES upon legislative appropriation. The Fiscal Committee is listed as part of the bill’s considerations. No net appropriation is set forth in the bill text itself; fiscal outcomes depend on future legislative action determining plate sales, donations, and grant levels.

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

Sign in to ask a question.