Bill
SB 83
Louisiana SB 83 requires schools to adopt human trafficking prevention policies and train staff, and expands victim services to ages 18-21 with coordinated state support.
Overview
- Title: SCHOOLS: Provides for training to prevent human trafficking at public elementary and secondary schools and provides for victims' services. (gov sig)
- Sponsor: Senator Edmonds (co-sponsor: Senator Rick Edmonds)
- Jurisdiction: Louisiana
- Status: Introduced for the 2026 Regular Session; amended and reported with amendments (as of 2026-04-15)
- Fiscal note: OR +$1,781,043 GF EX (general fund recurring appropriation impact noted)
Main purpose
- To strengthen prevention, identification, reporting, and victim services related to human trafficking, with a focus on public schools and coordinated state responses.
- Expand existing victim services to include young adults aged 18-21 and modernize terminology from “sex trafficking” to “human trafficking” in relevant provisions.
Key provisions and changes
1) School-based policies and training (new requirements)
- Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, each city, parish, or local public school board, and each public charter school board, must adopt a policy on human trafficking victim prevention, identification, reporting, and assistance.
- Each public school must designate at least one employee to receive annual advanced training on human trafficking. Designated positions may include:
- School counselor
- Mental health professional
- School administrator
- Training delivery:
- In-person or online course.
- The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, will provide information about available training curriculums.
- Training content (minimum):
- Definition of human trafficking and differentiation among its types.
- Recognition of common indicators of trafficking.
- Best practices for victim identification.
- Reinforcement of reporting requirements.
- Overview of resources and services available to victims in Louisiana.
- Recordkeeping and compliance:
- Each school must maintain records of designated employees and training completion.
- School boards must document and verify compliance for both traditional public schools and charter schools.
2) Victim services expansion and coordination
- The bill retains and expands present DCFS/LDH responsibilities to identify and assist trafficking victims.
- Victim services for younger victims:
- Extends services to include youth aged 18-21 who are victims of trafficking.
- The Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention will coordinate with DCFS and LDH to identify victims and coordinate benefits.
- Terminology:
- The term “sex trafficking” is broadened/updated to “human trafficking” in related sections.
3) Definitions and related duties
- Defines “human trafficking” as:
- Trafficking of children for sexual purposes, trafficking related to commercial sexual activity, debt bondage, or labor trafficking.
- Section 2161 and 2161.1 (DCFS/DH and public-private coordination):
- Establishes a plan for specialized services for child and youth victims of trafficking.
- Coordinates health, mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, victims’ compensation, legal services, and other supports.
- Requires education and outreach to increase awareness among agencies and the public.
- Reporting and data collection:
- Private entities serving trafficking victims, as well as law enforcement and district attorneys, must submit annual reports to the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and DCFS, detailing services, caseloads, outcomes, and other specified data (with protections for victim identifying information).
- Children's Code amendments (610):
- Strengthens reporting pathways for alleged sex trafficking victims, ensuring mandatory reporters use the proper hotline and that reports are promptly communicated to state police as appropriate.
4) Effective date
- Effective upon the governor’s signature or if not signed, upon lapse of time for gubernatorial action, with a potential later effective date following legislative approval if vetoed and overridden.
Who is affected
Timeline and procedures
Notes
- The bill includes an operating fiscal impact and potential general fund appropriation of approximately $1.781 million, indicating program costs for implementation, training, and coordination.
- The measure emphasizes a unified, school-based approach to prevention and a robust, multi-agency response for victims, including older youth and young adults.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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