POLICY PRIORITIES
2022 LEGISLATION
AB-1820 (Arambula) - California Labor Trafficking Prevention Act
Assembly Bill 1820, authored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, was introduced in the 2021-2022 legislative session as the California Labor Trafficking Prevention Act. The bill sought to address labor trafficking by enhancing enforcement and providing better protections for workers. It specifically aimed to empower the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to investigate and enforce labor trafficking violations more effectively.
Purpose: To combat labor trafficking, the bill would establish measures to detect and address the issue within workplaces, while also creating a framework for educating and training state officials, employers, and workers about the signs of labor trafficking. Additionally, the initiative would ensure that survivors of labor trafficking could access resources and support to recover from exploitation. By focusing on education, enforcement, and survivor assistance, the bill aimed to strengthen California's capacity to combat labor trafficking and protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.
Outcome: AB 1820 did not progress to become law during the 2021-2022 legislative session. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and failed to advance further, primarily due to fiscal considerations. As a result, it is considered inactive.
AB-2628 (Reyes) - Trafficked Children Assistance Program
Assembly Bill 2628, introduced by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes during the 2021-2022 legislative session, aimed to expand protections and services for all trafficked children in California. The bill proposed renaming the existing Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) Program to the Human Trafficked Children Program (HTCP), thereby broadening its scope to include victims of both sex and labor trafficking. This change intended to ensure that all trafficked children receive appropriate support and services.
Purpose: The bill aimed to provide a more comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking among minors in California by implementing several key measures. It sought to expand the existing CSEC Program to include children who are victims of labor trafficking, ensuring they receive the same protections and services as those subjected to sexual exploitation. Additionally, the bill mandated county child welfare agencies and probation departments to revise their policies and procedures to address the needs of all trafficked children, including those at risk of labor trafficking. Furthermore, it required the California Department of Social Services to collect and report data on all human trafficking victims, which would facilitate a better understanding of the issue and inform policy decisions. By taking these steps, the bill aimed to provide a more holistic approach to supporting victims of human trafficking and combating the issue in California.
Outcome: AB 2628 progressed through various legislative stages but did not become law during the 2021-2022 session. The bill was held in committee and did not advance to a full vote before the session concluded. Consequently, the proposed changes to expand the CSEC Program to include all trafficked children were not enacted.
AB-2169 (Gipson) - Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence : Protections for Non-Citizen Survivor
Assembly Bill 2169, authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson during the 2021-2022 legislative session, focused on enhancing protections for non-citizen survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. The bill sought to address barriers faced by non-citizen survivors in accessing protections and legal remedies under existing California law.
Purpose: The bill sought to strengthen protections for non-citizen survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence by expanding legal protections and support services, ensuring that immigration status doesn't impede access to justice or assistance. This included promoting awareness among agencies and organizations about the protections available to non-citizen survivors, such as legal remedies under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and other state laws. Additionally, the bill aimed to facilitate access to resources, including visa protections like T visas and U visas, which provide a path to lawful status for victims of trafficking and certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement. By taking these steps, the bill aimed to address systemic inequities and empower non-citizen survivors to seek safety and rebuild their lives, ultimately ensuring they receive the same protections as others.
Outcome: The bill was chaptered by the Secretary of State as Chapter 776 of the Statutes of 2022, officially enacting it into California law.